diff --git a/flume-parent/pom.xml b/flume-parent/pom.xml
index d46a7d1b8f..a9d606437a 100644
--- a/flume-parent/pom.xml
+++ b/flume-parent/pom.xml
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ limitations under the License.
     <!--<netty.version>3.10.6.Final</netty.version>-->
     <netty-all.version>4.1.72.Final</netty-all.version>
     <parquet.version>1.11.2</parquet.version>
-    <external.protobuf.version>2.5.0</external.protobuf.version>
+    <external.protobuf.version>3.16.3</external.protobuf.version>
     <protobuf.plugin.version>0.6.1</protobuf.plugin.version>
     <prometheus.version>0.15.0</prometheus.version>
     <rat.version>0.12</rat.version>