CVE-2021-39137: Github.com/ethereum/go ethereum Ethereum Contains Consensus Flaw During Vulnerability
MODERATECVE-2021-39137 is a MODERATE (CVSS 6.5) ethereum contains consensus flaw during vulnerability (CWE-436: Interpretation Conflict) affecting Github.com/ethereum/go ethereum libraries in the Go ecosystem. The issue involves ethereum contains consensus flaw during block processing. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 1.10.8.
CVE-2021-39137 at a Glance
Security Impact
CVSS: 6.5
The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H).
How to Fix CVE-2021-39137
To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Github.com/ethereum/go ethereum dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.
Upgrade github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum to 1.10.8Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release:
inspect dependencies for github.com/ethereum/go-ethereumHow to Check if You Are Affected
To determine whether your application is affected by CVE-2021-39137, inspect your project dependencies for Github.com/ethereum/go ethereum:
inspect dependencies for github.com/ethereum/go-ethereumAnalyze the terminal output to locate any version of Github.com/ethereum/go ethereum in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 1.10.8), your application is affected.
Note: Verify declared build manifests and deployed runtime container environments.
Technical Details
Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis
This vulnerability is classified under CWE-436: Interpretation Conflict, where product a handles inputs or steps differently than product b, which causes a to perform incorrect actions based on its perception of b's state. In Github.com/ethereum/go ethereum, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.
Source Advisory Statement
CVE-2021-39137 Affected Github.com/ethereum/go ethereum Versions
1 component(s)| Product / Package | Ecosystem | Affected Versions | Fixed Version |
|---|---|---|---|
|
github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum
|
Go |
≥ 1.10.0
< 1.10.8
|
1.10.8
|
References
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CVE-2021-39137?
Which Github.com/ethereum/go ethereum versions are affected?
What version fixes CVE-2021-39137?
Is github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum affected?
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2021-39137?
What CWE is associated with CVE-2021-39137?
How can I check Go dependencies for CVE-2021-39137?
Machine-readable OSV JSON
OSV v1.5 Schema
{
"schema_version" : "1.4.0",
"id" : "GHSA-9856-9gg9-qcmq",
"modified" : "2025-01-30T14:37:30Z",
"published" : "2021-08-30T16:15:41Z",
"aliases" : [ "CVE-2021-39137" ],
"summary" : "Ethereum Contains Consensus Flaw During Block Processing",
"details" : "### Impact\n\nA vulnerability in the Geth EVM could cause a node to reject the canonical chain. \n\n### Description \n\nA memory-corruption bug within the EVM can cause a consensus error, where vulnerable nodes obtain a different `stateRoot` when processing a maliciously crafted transaction. This, in turn, would lead to the chain being split in two forks.\n\nAll Geth versions supporting the London hard fork are vulnerable (which predates London), so all users should update.\n\nThis bug was exploited on Mainnet at block 13107518, leading to a minority chain split. \n\n### Patches\n\nA patch is included in the `v1.10.8` release.\nThe exact patch to fix the issue is contained within this [commit](https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/pull/23381/commits/4d4879cafd1b3c906fc184a8c4a357137465128f)\n\n### Workarounds\n\nNo workarounds exist, save to update and/or apply the patch commit. \n\n### References. \n\nPost-mortem [write-up](https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/blob/master/docs/postmortems/2021-08-22-split-postmortem.md).\n\n### Credits\n\nThe bug was found by @guidovranken (working for [Sentnl](https://sentnl.io/) during an audit of the [Telos EVM](https://www.telos.net/evm)) and reported via bounty@ethereum.org.\n\n### For more information\nIf you have any questions or comments about this advisory:\n\n* Open an issue in [go-ethereum](https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/)\n* Email us at [security@ethereum.org](mailto:security@ethereum.org)\n",
"severity" : [ {
"type" : "CVSS_V3",
"score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H"
} ],
"affected" : [ {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "Go",
"name" : "github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "1.10.0"
}, {
"fixed" : "1.10.8"
} ]
} ]
} ],
"references" : [ {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/security/advisories/GHSA-9856-9gg9-qcmq"
}, {
"type" : "ADVISORY",
"url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-39137"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/pull/23381/commits/4d4879cafd1b3c906fc184a8c4a357137465128f"
}, {
"type" : "PACKAGE",
"url" : "https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/releases/tag/v1.10.8"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://pkg.go.dev/vuln/GO-2022-0254"
} ],
"database_specific" : {
"cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-436" ],
"severity" : "MODERATE",
"github_reviewed" : true,
"github_reviewed_at" : "2021-08-26T15:08:22Z",
"nvd_published_at" : "2021-08-24T16:15:00Z"
}
}