CVE-2023-45284 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A security vulnerability has been discovered in the

path/filepath

package of the Go standard library, affecting Windows systems. This CVE, assigned on October 6, 2023, reveals an issue with the incorrect detection of reserved device names in certain scenarios.

Understanding CVE-2023-45284

This section will delve into the details of the CVE and its impact on affected systems.

What is CVE-2023-45284?

The vulnerability lies in the

IsLocal

function of the

path/filepath

package on Windows systems. It fails to accurately identify reserved device names, such as 'COM1 ' and 'COM' or 'LPT' followed by superscript numbers, leading to incorrect reporting.

The Impact of CVE-2023-45284

The misidentification of reserved device names can have security implications, potentially allowing malicious actors to manipulate paths and files in unexpected ways.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-45284

In this section, we will explore the technical aspects of the vulnerability, including affected systems and exploitation methods.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the

path/filepath

package allows reserved device names to be mistakenly classified as local, creating a false sense of security in path resolution.

Affected Systems and Versions

Systems using versions prior to

1.20.11

and

1.21.4

of the

path/filepath

package are vulnerable to this issue.

Exploitation Mechanism

By exploiting the incorrect detection of reserved device names, an attacker could potentially bypass security measures and access restricted areas of the file system.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines the steps to mitigate the CVE's impact and prevent future occurrences.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update the affected

path/filepath

package to versions

1.20.11

or

1.21.4

to address the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement regular software updates and security patches to minimize the risk of similar vulnerabilities affecting the system.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates released by the Go community and promptly apply patches to safeguard systems against known vulnerabilities.