CVE-2018-16873
golang: "go get" command vulnerable to RCE via import of malicious package
Severity
ModerateRed Hat Product Security
CVSS 3.0
Review impact separately from score.
Published · December 14, 2018
Updated · November 22, 2025
Description
In Go before 1.10.6 and 1.11.x before 1.11.3, the "go get" command is vulnerable to remote code execution when executed with the -u flag and the import path of a malicious Go package, or a package that imports it directly or indirectly. Specifically, it is only vulnerable in GOPATH mode, but not in module mode (the distinction is documented at https://golang.org/cmd/go/#hdr-Module_aware_go_get). Using custom domains, it's possible to arrange things so that a Git repository is cloned to a folder named ".git" by using a vanity import path that ends with "/.git". If the Git repository root contains a "HEAD" file, a "config" file, an "objects" directory, a "refs" directory, with some work to ensure the proper ordering of operations, "go get -u" can be tricked into considering the parent directory as a repository root, and running Git commands on it. That will use the "config" file in the original Git repository root for its configuration, and if that config file contains malicious commands, they will execute on the system running "go get -u".
Statement
This issue affects the version of golang package in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7. The golang package, previously available in the Optional channel, will no longer receive updates in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7. Developers are encouraged to use the Go Toolset instead, which is available through the Red Hat Developer program. https://access.redhat.com/documentation/en-us/red_hat_enterprise_linux/7/html/7.6_release_notes/chap-red_hat_enterprise_linux-7.6_release_notes-deprecated_functionality_in_rhel7#idm139716309923696
CVSS score applicability
The CVSS score(s) listed for this vulnerability do not reflect the associated product's status, and are included for informational purposes to better understand the severity of this vulnerability.
Mitigation
No mitigation is specified in collected source.
CVSS / CWE
CVSS 3.0 · 7.5CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CWE-20 · Improper Input Validation