CVE-2021-44717 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

Go before 1.16.12 and 1.17.x before 1.17.5 on UNIX allows write operations to an unintended file or unintended network connection as a consequence of erroneous closing of file descriptor 0 after file-descriptor exhaustion.

Understanding CVE-2021-44717

What is CVE-2021-44717?

CVE-2021-44717 is a vulnerability in Go versions prior to 1.16.12 and 1.17.x before 1.17.5 on UNIX systems. It allows for write operations to unintended locations due to a specific issue.

The Impact of CVE-2021-44717

This vulnerability could lead to unauthorized write operations on files or network connections, potentially causing data leakage or unauthorized access.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-44717

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from improper handling of file descriptors, specifically closing file descriptor 0 incorrectly after running out of file descriptors.

Affected Systems and Versions

Go versions before 1.16.12 and 1.17.x before 1.17.5 on UNIX systems

Exploitation Mechanism

The issue occurs when file descriptor 0 is closed erroneously due to file-descriptor exhaustion, leading to unintended write operations.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Go to versions 1.16.12 and 1.17.5 or later to mitigate the vulnerability
Monitor for any unauthorized write operations on files or network connections

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software to the latest versions to address known vulnerabilities
Implement file permission controls to restrict write access to critical files

Patching and Updates

Apply vendor-provided security updates promptly to patch the vulnerability