CVE-2021-33196 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2021-33196, a critical vulnerability in Go programming language versions before 1.15.13 and 1.16.5. Understand the impact, affected systems, and mitigation steps.
A vulnerability has been identified in Go programming language versions before 1.15.13 and 1.16.x before 1.16.5. This vulnerability in archive/zip could allow a specially crafted file count in an archive's header to trigger a panic in NewReader or OpenReader functions.
Understanding CVE-2021-33196
This section will provide insights into the nature and impact of CVE-2021-33196.
What is CVE-2021-33196?
CVE-2021-33196 is a vulnerability found in Go programming language versions prior to 1.15.13 and 1.16.x before 1.16.5. An attacker can exploit this flaw by manipulating the file count in an archive's header to induce a panic in certain functions.
The Impact of CVE-2021-33196
The vulnerability could be exploited by an attacker to cause a denial of service (DoS) condition on systems using the affected Go programming language versions.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-33196
This section will delve into the technical aspects of the CVE-2021-33196 vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The issue arises from improper handling of file counts in archive headers, leading to panic during certain operations like NewReader or OpenReader.
Affected Systems and Versions
All versions of Go programming language before 1.15.13 and 1.16.x before 1.16.5 are affected by this vulnerability.
Exploitation Mechanism
A specially crafted file count within an archive file's header can be used to trigger a panic when processing archives.
Mitigation and Prevention
To safeguard systems from the CVE-2021-33196 vulnerability, certain steps need to be taken to mitigate risks and prevent possible exploitation.
Immediate Steps to Take
It is recommended to update the Go programming language to versions 1.15.13 or 1.16.5 or later to eliminate this vulnerability.
Long-Term Security Practices
Regularly update software components and libraries to ensure protection against known vulnerabilities.
Patching and Updates
Stay informed about security updates and advisories related to the Go programming language to patch vulnerabilities promptly.