Arbitrary code execution during build via line directives in cmd/go
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- High
- Impact type
- —
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- Partial Red Hat: 1 fixed, 3 without a fix
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CISA ADP. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat.
Summary
Line directives ("//line") can be used to bypass the restrictions on "//go:cgo_" directives, allowing blocked linker and compiler flags to be passed during compilation. This can result in unexpected execution of arbitrary code when running "go build". The line directive requires the absolute path of the file in which the directive lives, which makes exploiting this issue significantly more complex.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Total
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Go standard library | cmd/go | before 1.20.9; 1.21.0-0 to before 1.21.2 | 1.20.9, 1.21.2 | Patch available | CNA |
- cmd/go VendorGo standard library Affected before 1.20.9; 1.21.0-0 to before 1.21.2 Fixed in 1.20.9, 1.21.2 Patch available CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 4
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:a:golang:go:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | before 1.20.9; 1.21.0 to before 1.21.2 | Vulnerable | Go standard library |
| cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:37:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 37 | Vulnerable | Fedoraproject |
| cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:38:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 38 | Vulnerable | Fedoraproject |
| cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:39:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 39 | Vulnerable | Fedoraproject |
- cpe:2.3:a:golang:go:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 1.20.9; 1.21.0 to before 1.21.2 Vulnerable ·Go standard library
- cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:37:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 37 Vulnerable ·Fedoraproject
- cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:38:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 38 Vulnerable ·Fedoraproject
- cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:39:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 39 Vulnerable ·Fedoraproject
Remediation
- Fix · CNA cmd/go (Go toolchain) Fixed in 1.20.9, 1.21.2
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Moderate. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 | Affected | No fix yet |
| Red Hat OpenShift Virtualization 4 | Affected | No fix yet |
| Red Hat Storage 3 | Affected | No fix planned: Will not fix |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 8) | Fixed | — |
Not affected: 2 products
- OpenShift Service Mesh 2
- Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2023-39323
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-679v-hh23-h5jh
References
Advisory 6
- https://pkg.go.dev/vuln/GO-2023-2095
- https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20231020-0001/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/[email protected]/message/KSEGD2IWKNUO3DWY4KQGUQM5BISRWHQE/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/[email protected]/message/CLB4TW7KALB3EEQWNWCN7OUIWWVWWCG2/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/[email protected]/message/XFOIBB4YFICHDM7IBOP7PWXW3FX4HLL2/
- https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202311-09
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- TI-2018-05208 The "go get" implementation in Go 1.9.4, when the -insecure command-line option is used… CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
- TI-2018-12083 Improper input validation in [UNKNOWN] golang CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.1
- TI-2024-16306 Mishandling of corrupt central directory record in archive/zip CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 5.5
- TI-2021-15910 Go before 1.16.9 and 1.17.x before 1.17.2 has a Buffer Overflow via large arguments in a… CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
Sources
- CVE-2023-39323 · CVE Program
- CVE-2023-39323 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-679v-hh23-h5jh · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2023-39323 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences