CVE-2020-28851 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

In x/text in Go 1.15.4, an "index out of range" panic occurs in language.ParseAcceptLanguage while parsing the -u- extension. This vulnerability affects the parsing of an HTTP Accept-Language header.

Understanding CVE-2020-28851

This CVE involves a panic issue in the x/text package in Go 1.15.4 while processing language.ParseAcceptLanguage.

What is CVE-2020-28851?

This CVE refers to a specific vulnerability in the x/text package in Go 1.15.4 that triggers an "index out of range" panic during the parsing of the -u- extension.

The Impact of CVE-2020-28851

The vulnerability can lead to a denial of service (DoS) situation due to the panic error, potentially disrupting the functionality of systems relying on the affected package.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-28851

This section provides more technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in x/text in Go 1.15.4 causes an "index out of range" panic in language.ParseAcceptLanguage during the -u- extension parsing.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Not applicable
Vendor: Not applicable
Version: Not applicable

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by providing malicious input that triggers the panic condition during the parsing of the -u- extension.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-28851 requires immediate actions and long-term security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update to a patched version of the x/text package to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor for any unusual behavior that could indicate exploitation of the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software packages and dependencies to address known vulnerabilities.
Implement input validation mechanisms to prevent malicious input from triggering similar issues.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all relevant software components, including the x/text package, are regularly updated to the latest secure versions.