diff --git a/src/lean_spec/node/networking/gossipsub/behavior.py b/src/lean_spec/node/networking/gossipsub/behavior.py
index 7546ab0b1..56fc1e335 100644
--- a/src/lean_spec/node/networking/gossipsub/behavior.py
+++ b/src/lean_spec/node/networking/gossipsub/behavior.py
@@ -1010,6 +1010,13 @@ async def _receive_loop(self, peer_id: PeerId, stream: QuicStreamAdapter) -> Non
                             # Incomplete varint -- wait for more data.
                             break
 
+                        # A declared length is attacker-controlled.
+                        # Without an upper bound, a peer can claim a huge frame
+                        # and force us to buffer reads forever without ever decoding.
+                        # Reject and disconnect before waiting for any of those bytes.
+                        if length > MAX_PAYLOAD_SIZE:
+                            raise ValueError(f"RPC frame too large: {length} > {MAX_PAYLOAD_SIZE}")
+
                         # Not enough bytes yet -- wait for the next read.
                         if len(buffer) < varint_size + length:
                             break
diff --git a/tests/node/networking/gossipsub/test_behavior.py b/tests/node/networking/gossipsub/test_behavior.py
index 0034b05d6..f45ab32a6 100644
--- a/tests/node/networking/gossipsub/test_behavior.py
+++ b/tests/node/networking/gossipsub/test_behavior.py
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 
 from __future__ import annotations
 
+import logging
 import time
 
 import pytest
@@ -33,6 +34,7 @@
     SubOpts,
 )
 from lean_spec.node.networking.gossipsub.types import MessageId, Timestamp, TopicId
+from lean_spec.node.networking.varint import encode_varint
 from lean_spec.node.snappy import compress as snappy_compress
 from tests.node.networking.gossipsub.conftest import add_peer, make_behavior, make_peer
 
@@ -1178,3 +1180,47 @@ async def test_unsubscribe_prunes_mesh_peers(self) -> None:
         assert sub_sends == [(p1, sub_rpc), (p2, sub_rpc)]
         assert {peer_id for peer_id, _ in prune_sends} == {p1, p2}
         assert all(rpc == prune_rpc for _, rpc in prune_sends)
+
+
+class TestReceiveLoop:
+    """Tests for the incoming-RPC framing loop."""
+
+    @pytest.mark.asyncio
+    async def test_oversized_declared_frame_disconnects_without_buffering(
+        self, caplog: pytest.LogCaptureFixture
+    ) -> None:
+        """An over-limit declared frame length disconnects the peer after one read."""
+        behavior, _ = make_behavior()
+        peer_id = add_peer(behavior, "peerA")
+
+        # A peer claims a frame one byte larger than the payload cap,
+        # but sends none of the promised bytes.
+        # A bounded loop must reject on the length alone, not wait for the bytes.
+        oversized_frame_prefix = encode_varint(MAX_PAYLOAD_SIZE + 1)
+
+        read_count = 0
+        handled_rpcs: list[RPC] = []
+
+        async def fake_read(n: int | None = None) -> bytes:
+            nonlocal read_count
+            read_count += 1
+            # Serve the oversized length prefix once, then empty on any later read.
+            return oversized_frame_prefix if read_count == 1 else b""
+
+        async def record_handled_rpc(_peer_id: object, rpc: RPC) -> None:
+            handled_rpcs.append(rpc)
+
+        behavior._handle_rpc = record_handled_rpc  # type: ignore[assignment]
+
+        fake_stream = type("FakeStream", (), {"read": staticmethod(fake_read)})()
+        with caplog.at_level(logging.WARNING):
+            await behavior._receive_loop(peer_id, fake_stream)
+
+        # Rejected on the declared length alone: a single read, no decode, peer gone.
+        assert read_count == 1
+        assert handled_rpcs == []
+        assert peer_id not in behavior._peers
+        assert caplog.messages == [
+            f"Error receiving from {peer_id}: "
+            f"RPC frame too large: {MAX_PAYLOAD_SIZE + 1} > {MAX_PAYLOAD_SIZE}"
+        ]