CVE-2022-23773 in Google
Summary
by MITRE • 02/11/2022
cmd/go in Go before 1.16.14 and 1.17.x before 1.17.7 can misinterpret branch names that falsely appear to be version tags. This can lead to incorrect access control if an actor is supposed to be able to create branches but not tags.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/21/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-23773 resides within the cmd/go component of the Go programming language ecosystem, specifically affecting versions prior to 1.16.14 and 1.17.x prior to 1.17.7. This flaw represents a critical misinterpretation issue in how the go command processes repository branch names, particularly when these names inadvertently resemble version tag formats. The core problem emerges from the command's inability to properly distinguish between branch references and version tag references during repository operations, creating a scenario where legitimate branch creation permissions might be incorrectly interpreted as tag creation privileges.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of branch naming conventions that coincidentally match the expected format of version tags within the go toolchain. When an attacker or authorized user creates a branch with a name that follows version tag conventions such as v1.0.0 or v2.1.3, the cmd/go command may incorrectly process this branch as if it were a version tag. This misinterpretation fundamentally undermines the access control mechanisms that separate branch creation privileges from tag creation privileges, effectively allowing unauthorized modification of version tag references through branch creation actions. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of version control system semantics and package management tooling, creating an unexpected privilege escalation path.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple access control bypass to potentially compromise the integrity of software supply chains. When an actor can exploit this flaw, they may inadvertently or deliberately create malicious version tags that could be used to inject compromised code into dependency resolution processes. This represents a significant concern for organizations that rely on Go-based toolchains for software development and deployment, as it could enable attackers to manipulate package versions and potentially introduce backdoors or malicious code into applications. The vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and can lead to unauthorized package publishing or modification of existing packages in the Go module system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-23773 primarily focus on upgrading to patched versions of the Go toolchain, specifically version 1.16.14 or 1.17.7 and later. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all development environments and CI/CD pipelines are updated with the latest Go releases. Additionally, security teams should conduct thorough audits of existing Go-based projects to identify potential exploitation vectors and review access control policies for repository permissions. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Issues, specifically concerning improper access control in version management systems, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1583.001 for abuse of valid accounts and T1078.004 for valid accounts for privilege escalation. Organizations should also consider implementing additional validation checks in their automated build processes to verify that branch names do not inadvertently conflict with expected tag formats, providing defense-in-depth measures against similar future vulnerabilities.