CVE-2021-33198 : Security Advisory and Response

In Go before 1.15.13 and 1.16.x before 1.16.5, a vulnerability exists that can result in a panic for a large exponent to the math/big.Rat SetString or UnmarshalText method.

Understanding CVE-2021-33198

This section provides insights into the specifics of CVE-2021-33198.

What is CVE-2021-33198?

The vulnerability in Go versions before 1.15.13 and 1.16.x before 1.16.5 can trigger a panic due to a large exponent to the math/big.Rat SetString or UnmarshalText method.

The Impact of CVE-2021-33198

The impact of this vulnerability is the potential for a denial of service (DoS) attack or arbitrary code execution by an attacker exploiting the panic condition.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-33198

Explore the technical aspects associated with CVE-2021-33198.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises when processing a large exponent in the context of the math/big.Rat SetString or UnmarshalText method in affected Go versions.

Affected Systems and Versions

Go versions before 1.15.13 and 1.16.x before 1.16.5 are vulnerable to this issue.

Exploitation Mechanism

An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by providing a large exponent in a maliciously crafted input to trigger a panic condition.

Mitigation and Prevention

Discover the steps to mitigate and prevent the CVE-2021-33198 vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update their Go installations to version 1.15.13 or 1.16.5, which contain fixes for this vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Maintain a proactive approach to security by keeping Go installations up to date and adopting secure coding practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for updates from the Go project and promptly apply patches to ensure protection against known security issues.