Discover the impact of CVE-2021-27919, a vulnerability in archive/zip in Go 1.16.x before 1.16.1. Learn about the exploitation mechanism, affected systems, and mitigation steps.
In this article, we will explore CVE-2021-27919, focusing on the vulnerability found in archive/zip in Go 1.16.x before 1.16.1. It allows attackers to trigger a denial of service (DoS) attack by utilizing the Reader.Open API for a ZIP archive with specific conditions.
Understanding CVE-2021-27919
What is CVE-2021-27919?
The CVE-2021-27919 vulnerability exists in Go 1.16.x before 1.16.1 and enables attackers to execute a panic-triggering DoS attack by exploiting certain conditions within the Reader.Open API for ZIP archives.
The Impact of CVE-2021-27919
This vulnerability could be exploited by malicious actors to cause a targeted application to panic, leading to a DoS condition. It poses a risk to systems utilizing affected versions of Go.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-27919
Vulnerability Description
The flaw in archive/zip allows an attacker to induce a panic by using the Reader.Open API on a ZIP archive containing '/../' at the beginning of any filename.
Affected Systems and Versions
The vulnerability affects Go version 1.16.x before 1.16.1. Systems using these versions are at risk of a DoS attack through exploitation of the Reader.Open API.
Exploitation Mechanism
By crafting a malicious ZIP archive containing specific filenames starting with '/../', threat actors can trigger a panic in the targeted application, resulting in potential service disruption.
Mitigation and Prevention
Immediate Steps to Take
To mitigate the CVE-2021-27919 vulnerability, users should update their Go installations to version 1.16.1 or later. It is crucial to patch systems promptly to prevent exploitation.
Long-Term Security Practices
Implementing secure coding practices and conducting regular security audits can help in identifying and addressing vulnerabilities in the early stages, enhancing overall system security.
Patching and Updates
Regularly monitor security advisories from Go and promptly apply patches and updates to stay protected against known vulnerabilities like CVE-2021-27919.