CVE-2020-29511CWE-115

The encoding/xml package in Go (all versions) does not correctly preserve the semantics of element namespace prefixes during tokenization round-trips, which…

Critical · published December 14, 2020

CVSS v3.1
9.8
EPSS
2%
Percentile
80.2
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

🔥 A sneaky namespace prefix flaw lurks in Go's encoding/xml package that could cause chaos in downstream applications! Think of it like a confusing restaurant menu where the same dish has different descriptions depending on the waiter — one time it’s spicy, the next it’s mild. This inconsistency can lead to orders being processed incorrectly, just like how this vulnerability can cause varied application behavior during XML processing. An attacker could exploit this inconsistency to manipulate data processing flows, potentially leading to data leakage or corruption. Depending on how the application utilizes the XML, this could have devastating effects, allowing for unwanted actions or responses, making it critical to address!

Put simply

Think of it like a confusing restaurant menu where the same dish has different descriptions depending on the waiter — one time it’s spicy, the next it’s mild. This inconsistency can lead to orders being processed incorrectly, just like how this vulnerability can cause varied application behavior during XML processing. The encoding/xml package in Go fails to correctly preserve element namespace prefixes during tokenization, leading to conflicting behaviors in data processing stages of downstream applications.

What to do

An attacker could exploit this inconsistency to manipulate data processing flows, potentially leading to data leakage or corruption. Depending on how the application utilizes the XML, this could have devastating effects, allowing for unwanted actions or responses, making it critical to address! Immediate action is required: update to a patched version of the Go language where this issue has been resolved. Review your XML handling logic in applications for potential conflicts and implement strict parsing checks to mitigate risks. You've got this — get those updates rolling and fortify your defenses! 🛡️

The record
Technical detail
CVSS v3.1
9.8 · CRITICAL
Vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.01966 · 80.2th percentile
Weakness
CWE-115 · Misinterpretation of Input
Published
2020-12-14T19:59Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 14 DEC 19:59Z
    The encoding/xml package in Go (all versions) does not correctly preserve the semantics of element namespace prefixes during tokenization round-trips, which…
    cvelistv5