CVE-2023-24537 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This CVE record, published on April 6, 2023, highlights an issue in the Go programming language's standard library related to an infinite loop in parsing due to an integer overflow.

Understanding CVE-2023-24537

This vulnerability, found in the

go/scanner

component of the Go standard library, stems from the parsing of Go source code containing

//line

directives with very large line numbers. The integer overflow triggered by calling certain Parse functions can lead to an infinite loop, causing potential issues for developers.

What is CVE-2023-24537?

CVE-2023-24537 refers to the specific vulnerability in the Go standard library's

go/scanner

component that results in an infinite loop during parsing when encountering large line numbers in

//line

directives. This vulnerability, if exploited, can have significant consequences for affected systems.

The Impact of CVE-2023-24537

The impact of CVE-2023-24537 lies in the potential for an attacker to trigger an infinite loop by manipulating Go source code with large line numbers, leading to denial of service or other related issues. This vulnerability underscores the importance of timely patches and enhanced security measures.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-24537

The

go/scanner

component of the Go standard library is susceptible to an infinite loop due to an integer overflow when processing Parse functions on source code containing specific

//line

directives. The versions affected include those less than 1.19.8 and 1.20.3 for certain ranges.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from integer overflow in the processing of Parse functions on Go source code with large line numbers specified in

//line

directives, leading to an infinite loop within the

go/scanner

component.

Affected Systems and Versions

Systems using versions of the Go standard library

go/scanner

component lower than 1.19.8 and 1.20.3 are at risk of encountering the infinite loop vulnerability due to integer overflow triggered by specific code patterns.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting CVE-2023-24537 involves crafting Go source code with

//line

directives containing very large line numbers, triggering the integer overflow and subsequent infinite loop during parsing in the

go/scanner

component.

Mitigation and Prevention

Addressing CVE-2023-24537 requires immediate action to mitigate the risks associated with the vulnerability and prevent potential exploits from impacting systems using affected versions of the Go standard library.

Immediate Steps to Take

Developers and administrators are advised to update to patched versions of the Go standard library that address the integer overflow issue causing the infinite loop in the

go/scanner

component. Additionally, reviewing and adjusting code that interacts with

//line

directives can help mitigate the risk.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing secure coding practices and regularly updating dependencies to the latest stable versions can help reduce the likelihood of encountering similar vulnerabilities in the future. Conducting code reviews and security assessments can also enhance overall system security.

Patching and Updates

Staying informed about security advisories and promptly applying patches released by the Go language maintainers is crucial for maintaining a secure development environment. Regularly monitoring for updates and following best practices for secure coding can mitigate risks associated with CVE-2023-24537.