CVE-2020-15586 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Go before 1.13.13 and 1.14.x before 1.14.5 has a data race in some net/http servers, as demonstrated by the httputil.ReverseProxy Handler, because it reads a request body and writes a response at the same time.

Understanding CVE-2020-15586

This CVE involves a data race issue in Go versions prior to 1.13.13 and 1.14.x before 1.14.5, specifically affecting certain net/http servers.

What is CVE-2020-15586?

CVE-2020-15586 is a vulnerability in Go programming language versions that leads to a data race within specific net/http servers, notably in the httputil.ReverseProxy Handler.

The Impact of CVE-2020-15586

The data race vulnerability in affected Go versions can result in potential security breaches and instability in systems utilizing the impacted net/http servers.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-15586

This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises due to a data race issue in Go versions prior to 1.13.13 and 1.14.x before 1.14.5, particularly within certain net/http servers like httputil.ReverseProxy Handler.

Affected Systems and Versions

Go versions before 1.13.13
Go 1.14.x versions before 1.14.5

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability occurs when the httputil.ReverseProxy Handler reads a request body and writes a response simultaneously, leading to a data race condition.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2020-15586, follow these mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update affected Go versions to 1.13.13 or 1.14.5 to eliminate the data race vulnerability.
Monitor and restrict access to potentially vulnerable net/http servers.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update Go programming language versions to the latest releases to ensure security patches are applied.
Implement secure coding practices to minimize the risk of data race conditions and other vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and updates from Go language providers to promptly apply patches for known vulnerabilities.