cmd/go: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component
CVE-2023-29405 is a critical-severity improper neutralization of special elements in output used by a downstream component vulnerability in cmd/go from Go toolchain, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists versions 1.19.10, 1.20.5 as the first without the flaw, so updating cmd/go to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 1.71% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 78% of scored CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Update cmd/go to 1.19.10 or 1.20.5, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Update cmd/cgo to 1.19.10 or 1.20.5, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Update Go to 1.19.10 or 1.20.5, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Read the advisory on pkg.go.dev for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Go toolchain | cmd/go | before 1.19.10; 1.20.0-0 up to, but not including, 1.20.5 | 1.19.10, 1.20.5 |
| Go toolchain | cmd/cgo | before 1.19.10; 1.20.0-0 up to, but not including, 1.20.5 | 1.19.10, 1.20.5 |
| Go | Go | before 1.19.10; 1.20.0 up to, but not including, 1.20.5 | 1.19.10, 1.20.5 |
| Fedora Project | Fedora | 38 | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | NVD |
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | CISA (ADP) |
Official description
The go command may execute arbitrary code at build time when using cgo. This may occur when running "go get" on a malicious module, or when running any other command which builds untrusted code. This is can by triggered by linker flags, specified via a "#cgo LDFLAGS" directive. Flags containing embedded spaces are mishandled, allowing disallowed flags to be smuggled through the LDFLAGS sanitization by including them in the argument of another flag. This only affects usage of the gccgo compiler.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component
The product constructs all or part of a command, data structure, or record using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify how it is parsed or interpreted when it is sent to a downstream component.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Programming languages and supporting technologies might be chosen which are not subject to these issues.
- Utilize an appropriate mix of allowlist and denylist parsing to filter control-plane syntax from all input.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Patches and release notes
Third-party and government advisories
- groups.google.com/g/golang-announce/c/q5135a9d924/m/j0ZoAJOHAwAJMailing List, Third Party Advisory
Other references
- go.dev/issue/60306Issue Tracking
- lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/[email protected]/message/NZ2O6YCO2IZMZJELQGZYR2…
- lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/[email protected]/message/XBS3IIK6ADV24C5ULQU55Q…Mailing List
- security.gentoo.org/glsa/202311-09
- security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20241206-0003/
Other vulnerabilities in cmd/go
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 8.4 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
Recent Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component vulnerabilities
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 10.0 Critical severity
- 7.3 High severity
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