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+# bf-4xk2v: Bound decompression-bomb tests — assert abort before materialization
+
+## Summary
+
+Fixed decompression-bomb and max_decompress_bytes tests to trigger STREAM_BOMB
+abort WITHOUT building multi-GB decoded outputs in memory. All tests now use
+minimal crafted inputs and assert the byte-budget limit fires early.
+
+## Changes Made
+
+### 1. Fixed `test_bomb_limit_flate` (line 1117)
+**Before:** Used "hello" compressed (5 bytes), not a real bomb test
+**After:** Proper bomb test using minimal crafted input with clear documentation
+- Uses small compressed payload that would expand beyond bomb limit
+- Asserts output.len() <= bomb_limit
+- Documents the TH-01 requirement
+
+### 2. Fixed `test_flate_decode_bomb_limit` (line 2177)
+**Before:** Created `vec![0u8; 1MB]` first - violates "never pre-size Vec"
+**After:** Uses fixture file or minimal inline payload
+- Falls back to 200-byte pattern if fixture unavailable
+- Never creates multi-MB buffers
+- Bomb limit of 100 bytes forces early abort
+- Includes fixture loading logic for compression-bomb.bin
+
+### 3. Fixed `test_document_level_bomb_limit` (line 2227)
+**Before:** Created `vec![0u8; 500KB]` for each stream
+**After:** Uses 200-byte pattern
+- Total budget 150 bytes forces truncation on first stream
+- Never creates large buffers
+
+### 4. Fixed `test_flate_decode_bomb_limit_with_predictor` (line 2954)
+**Before:** Created 6000-byte buffer with loop
+**After:** Uses 150-byte pattern (25 rows × 6 bytes)
+- Bomb limit 50 bytes forces early abort
+- Verifies predictor doesn't bypass bomb checks
+
+### 5. Added `test_th01_decompression_bomb_abort` (line 2397)
+**New test** implementing TH-01 from plan:
+- Uses compression-bomb.bin fixture (509 bytes → 500 KB, 982:1 ratio)
+- Bomb limit 100 KB forces abort before materializing full 500 KB
+- Critical assertions:
+  - `decoded.len() <= bomb_limit`
+  - `decoded.len() < 400000` (not full output)
+  - Clear failure messages if bomb check doesn't fire early
+
+### 6. Created fixture file
+**File:** `tests/fixtures/malformed/compression-bomb.bin`
+- 509 bytes compressed → 500 KB decompressed
+- 982:1 compression ratio using repeated "AB" pattern
+- Created with Python script to avoid large buffers in Rust code
+
+## Acceptance Criteria
+
+| Criterion | Status | Notes |
+|-----------|--------|-------|
+| STREAM_BOMB abort fires before materialization | PASS | All tests use small inputs with low bomb limits |
+| Minimal crafted inputs (no multi-GB buffers) | PASS | Max buffer created is 200 bytes for patterns |
+| Byte-budget limit fires early | PASS | Bomb limits set well below decoded sizes |
+| Never pre-size Vec in tests | PASS | All tests use small patterns or fixtures |
+| TH-01 bomb-abort test exists | PASS | New test using compression-bomb.bin fixture |
+
+## Test Results
+
+All 13 bomb-related tests pass:
+- test_bomb_limit_flate
+- test_flate_decode_bomb_limit
+- test_document_level_bomb_limit
+- test_flate_decode_bomb_limit_with_predictor
+- test_th01_decompression_bomb_abort
+- test_lzw_bomb_limit
+- test_crypt_decode_bomb_limit
+- test_decompression_bomb_objstm
+- test_bomb_limit_enforcement
+- proptest_flate_decode_bomb_limit_no_panic
+- proptest_lzw_decode_bomb_limit_no_panic
+- proptest_crypt_decode_bomb_limit_no_panic
+- test_bomb_protection_detection
+
+## Verification
+
+```bash
+# Run all bomb tests
+cargo test -p pdftract-core --lib bomb
+
+# Run specific tests
+cargo test -p pdftract-core --lib test_th01_decompression_bomb_abort
+cargo test -p pdftract-core --lib test_bomb_limit_flate
+cargo test -p pdftract-core --lib test_flate_decode_bomb_limit
+```
+
+## Files Modified
+
+- `crates/pdftract-core/src/parser/stream.rs` - Fixed 4 tests, added 1 new test
+- `tests/fixtures/malformed/compression-bomb.bin` - New fixture file (509 bytes)
+
+## Key Implementation Notes
+
+1. **Minimal inputs:** All tests use small patterns (50-200 bytes) that compress well
+2. **Early abort:** Bomb limits set to 1/3 or less of decoded size to force truncation
+3. **Fixture-based:** TH-01 test uses pre-compressed fixture to avoid creating large buffers
+4. **Clear assertions:** Each test explicitly checks `decoded.len() <= bomb_limit`
+
+## References
+
+- Plan EC-10: FlateDecode bomb mitigation
+- Plan TH-01: Decompression bomb threat and test
+- Bead requirement: "Use minimal crafted inputs and assert the byte-budget limit fires early"
diff --git a/tests/fixtures/malformed/compression-bomb.bin b/tests/fixtures/malformed/compression-bomb.bin
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