Unbounded memory usage on exposed HTTP/2 (non-gRPC) endpoints
Key facts
- Attack vector
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- Privileges required
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- User interaction
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- Attack complexity
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- Impact type
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- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
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- Fix status
- Fixed
No CVSS vector from any source. Fix status from GitHub.
Summary
### Impact The net/http Go package has a reported vulnerability tracked under CVE-2021-44716 which allows attacker controlled HTTP/2 requests to trigger unbounded memory usage in HTTP/2 endpoints. gRPC endpoints are not vulnerable as they rely on their own HTTP/2 implementation instead of the net/http package. HTTP/2 endpoints consuming the net/http package within SPIRE server and agent (or other components in this repository) that are _on by default_ include the following: - OIDC Discovery Provider - K8s Workload Registrar in webhook mode The following endpoints are vulnerable _when enabled_: - SPIRE server bundle endpoint (i.e. Federation API) The following endpoints are _NOT_ vulnerable, since HTTP/2 support in go is not enabled on non-TLS protected endpoints: - SPIRE server/agent metrics endpoint when configured for Prometheus - SPIRE server/agent health endpoints - SPIRE server/agent profiling endpoints ### Patches SPIRE 1.0.3 and 1.1.3 have been released with an upgraded Go toolchain which patches the vulnerability ### Workarounds The vulnerability can be worked around entirely by including the `http2server=0` value in the `GODEBUG` environment variable (see https://github.com/golang/go/issues/50058). This turns off HTTP/2 support on all non-gRPC endpoints. They will still function with HTTP/1.1. The risk associated with this vulnerability can be somewhat mitigated by limiting the exposure of the endpoints in question. If necessary, vulnerable components or endpoints that are optionally configured can be disabled temporarily. ### References - https://github.com/golang/go/issues/50058 - https://go-review.googlesource.com/c/go/+/370574/ - https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-44716
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | github.com/spiffe/spire (Go) | before 1.0.3 | 1.0.3 | Patch available | GHSA-m7vp-hqwv-7m5x |
| — | github.com/spiffe/spire (Go) | 1.1.0 to before 1.1.3 | 1.1.3 | Patch available | GHSA-m7vp-hqwv-7m5x |
- github.com/spiffe/spire (Go) Vendor— Affected before 1.0.3 Fixed in 1.0.3 Patch available GHSA-m7vp-hqwv-7m5x
- github.com/spiffe/spire (Go) Vendor— Affected 1.1.0 to before 1.1.3 Fixed in 1.1.3 Patch available GHSA-m7vp-hqwv-7m5x
Remediation
- Fix · GHSA-m7vp-hqwv-7m5x github.com/spiffe/spire (Go) Fixed in 1.0.3 Advisory →
- Fix · GHSA-m7vp-hqwv-7m5x github.com/spiffe/spire (Go) Fixed in 1.1.3 Advisory →
Timeline
- 2026-10-03 Threatist record created from GHSA-m7vp-hqwv-7m5x
Sources
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences