CVE-2026-118391
Allocation of Resources Without Limits or Throttling vulnerability in elixir-ecto ecto allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to exhaust memory in the application and in the database server by sending requests with distinct JSON keys or list lengths where the application interpolates them into json_extract_path/2, field[^key] or splice/1. Ecto caches prepared queries per repository in an ETS table with no size limit and no eviction. Interpolated JSON path elements become part of the query expression instead of its parameters, and splice/1 expands into one placeholder per element, so every distinct key or list length creates a new cache entry. With ecto_sql each entry is also a new prepared statement on the database connection that runs it. None of this memory is released until the processes restart. This issue affects ecto: from 3.4.0 before 3.14.3.
Executive briefing
The source record describes: Allocation of Resources Without Limits or Throttling vulnerability in elixir-ecto ecto allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to exhaust memory in the application and in the database server by sending requests with distinct JSON keys or list lengths where the application interpolates them into json_extract_path/2, field[^key] or splice/1. Ecto caches prepared queries per repository in an ETS table with no size limit and no eviction. Interpolated JSON path elements become part of the query expression instead of its parameters, and splice/1 expands into one placeholder per element, so every distinct key or list length creates a new cache entry. With ecto_sql each entry is also a new prepared statement on the database connection that runs it. None of this memory is released until the processes restart. This issue affects ecto: from 3.4.0 before 3.14.3. The practical risk depends on whether an affected product/version is present, reachable and configured in an exploitable way. Review the affected-product evidence and linked vendor advisories before assigning exposure status.
Evidence confidence: Limited Evidence-derived, not an exploitability verdict
Severity & attack characteristics
CVSS vector:CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:H/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X
Technical explanation & impact
The technical mechanism is not expanded beyond the source description unless a referenced advisory supplies additional evidence. Read the linked vendor/CERT advisories for root-cause detail.
Potential impact must be interpreted from the published CVSS impact metrics and the affected component. A CVSS impact score is not proof that a particular asset is exploitable.
Weakness classification
CWE-770Affected products and versions
NVD has not supplied machine-readable vulnerable CPE product/version entries for this CVE. This is an information gap, not proof that no products are affected. Check the vendor advisory references below.
Remediation & validation
- Identify exposure by comparing the affected product and version ranges with your asset inventory, SBOM and externally exposed services.
- Review the linked vendor security advisory or patch notes. Upgrade to a vendor-confirmed fixed release; do not infer a fixed version from the CVE description.
- Until patched, consider restricting network access or disabling the affected feature where operationally safe. These are temporary controls, not a substitute for a vendor fix.
- Validate the remediation with a version check and vulnerability rescan, then retain change evidence.
No fixed version is displayed unless it is explicitly established by a vendor advisory. Follow the vendor's release notes for exact product and branch applicability.
Vendor advisories, patches & exploit references
- https://cna.erlef.org/cves/CVE-2026-118391.html REFERENCE 6b3ad84c-e1a6-4bf7-a703-f496b71e49db
- https://ecto.hexdocs.pm/Ecto.Query.API.html#json_extract_path/2 REFERENCE 6b3ad84c-e1a6-4bf7-a703-f496b71e49db
- https://ecto.hexdocs.pm/Ecto.Query.API.html#splice/1 REFERENCE 6b3ad84c-e1a6-4bf7-a703-f496b71e49db
- https://github.com/elixir-ecto/ecto/commit/cb2f03964dac324a9771f84f5088e395326e6de8 VENDOR 6b3ad84c-e1a6-4bf7-a703-f496b71e49db
- https://github.com/elixir-ecto/ecto/commit/d0e97d8a6e274c81c25fbf08087da8d8b9bae0ea VENDOR 6b3ad84c-e1a6-4bf7-a703-f496b71e49db
- https://github.com/elixir-ecto/ecto/commit/eb03f45b999e2bf67ffae92811233eb6e56dba55 VENDOR 6b3ad84c-e1a6-4bf7-a703-f496b71e49db
- https://github.com/elixir-ecto/ecto/commit/eef014ad090d27d1a5b69c0e32a50eabd44ab3bb VENDOR 6b3ad84c-e1a6-4bf7-a703-f496b71e49db
- https://github.com/elixir-ecto/ecto/issues/1031 VENDOR 6b3ad84c-e1a6-4bf7-a703-f496b71e49db
- https://github.com/elixir-ecto/ecto/issues/4470 VENDOR 6b3ad84c-e1a6-4bf7-a703-f496b71e49db
- https://github.com/elixir-ecto/ecto/security/advisories/GHSA-cxjx-vmm2-qr8r VENDOR 6b3ad84c-e1a6-4bf7-a703-f496b71e49db
- https://osv.dev/vulnerability/EEF-CVE-2026-118391 REFERENCE 6b3ad84c-e1a6-4bf7-a703-f496b71e49db
Information gaps & confidence notes
These gaps indicate missing source data. CVE Watch does not fill them with guessed product, exploit or patch details.
- NVD does not currently provide machine-readable vulnerable CPE product/version entries for this record.
Last enrichment: 2026-11-05T19:32:41+00:00 · Source last modified: 2026-11-05T19:17:11.763