cmd/go: Improper Neutralization of Argument Delimiters in a Command
CVE-2025-61731 is a high-severity improper neutralization of argument delimiters in a command vulnerability in cmd/go from Go toolchain, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.6 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an unauthenticated attacker, but only if a user takes part, for example by opening a link or file. The record lists versions 1.24.12, 1.25.6 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 0.61% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update cmd/go to 1.24.12 or 1.25.6, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Update Go to 1.24.12 or 1.25.6, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Read the advisory on pkg.go.dev for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Because the attack needs a user to take part, warn users about unexpected links and files related to this product until it is patched.
Affected products and versions
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE; 8 further products are omitted here. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- RequiredA user must take an action such as opening a file or link.
- Scope
- ChangedThe attack can reach beyond the vulnerable component into other systems.
- 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:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.8 | High | CISA (ADP) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.6 | High | CNA |
Official description
Building a malicious file with cmd/go can cause can cause a write to an attacker-controlled file with partial control of the file content. The "#cgo pkg-config:" directive in a Go source file provides command-line arguments to provide to the Go pkg-config command. An attacker can provide a "--log-file" argument to this directive, causing pkg-config to write to an attacker-controlled location.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Neutralization of Argument Delimiters in a Command
The product constructs a string for a command to be executed by a separate component in another control sphere, but it does not properly delimit the intended arguments, options, or switches within that command string.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Understand all the potential areas where untrusted inputs can enter your product: parameters or arguments, cookies, anything read from the network, environment variables, request headers as well as content, URL components, e-mail, files, databases, and any external systems that provide data to the application. Perform input validation at well-defined interfaces.
- Directly convert your input type into the expected data type, such as using a conversion function that translates a string into a number. After converting to the expected data type, ensure that the input's values fall within the expected range of allowable values and that multi-field consistencies are maintained.
- When exchanging data between components, ensure that both components are using the same character encoding. Ensure that the proper encoding is applied at each interface. Explicitly set the encoding you are using whenever the protocol allows you to do so.
More Improper Neutralization of Argument Delimiters in a Command vulnerabilities (CWE-88)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Patches and release notes
- go.dev/cl/736711
- groups.google.com/g/golang-announce/c/Vd2tYVM8eUcMailing List, Release Notes
Other references
- go.dev/issue/77100Issue Tracking
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:12118
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:12282
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:13736
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:14100
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:14774
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:15091
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:17598
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:20088
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:21691
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:3556
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:3559
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:3855
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:4434
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:5941
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 Argument Delimiters in a Command vulnerabilities
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
GNU InetUtils Argument Injection Exploited
- 7.0 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
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