NULL pointer dereference in go-ethereum - CVE-2021-41173
Published: October 25, 2021 / Updated: April 27, 2026
Vulnerability identifier: #VU127992
CSH Severity: Medium
CVSS v4: 8.7 [CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N]
CVE-ID: CVE-2021-41173
CWE-ID: CWE-476
Exploitation vector: Remote access
Exploit availability:
No public exploit available
Vulnerability details
The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to cause a denial of service.
The vulnerability exists due to improper handling of nil pointer values in the snap/1 request handler when processing a crafted snap/1 GetTrieNodes message from a peer. A remote attacker can send a specially crafted snap/1 GetTrieNodes request to cause a denial of service.
The issue can trigger a panic in vulnerable nodes during snap/1 protocol handling.
Affected software
go-ethereum
How to mitigate CVE-2021-41173
Install security update from vendor's website.
go-ethereum - update to 1.10.9