GolangCI-Lint Config Exposure Scanner

GolangCI-Lint is a popular open-source Go code quality and linting tool used by developers worldwide. It's designed to streamline the code review process by providing instant feedback on issues related to code style, security, performance, and potential bugs. Many development teams integrate it into their continuous integration and delivery pipelines to maintain high code quality. It is used in various environments, from personal projects to enterprise-level applications, where Go is employed. Developers appreciate its ease of integration and the ability to customize the linter's functionality through configuration files. The tool supports a range of linters, allowing teams to tailor checks to their specific coding standards and best practices.

A configuration exposure vulnerability occurs when sensitive configuration files are publicly accessible. This may happen if configuration files for GolangCI-Lint are unintentionally exposed, which can reveal settings and operational details intended to be kept private. Such exposures are a common risk in DevOps environments because configuration files often contain critical information that should be strictly controlled. If these configurations are exposed, attackers might gain insight into internal systems or exploit misconfigured settings for malicious purposes. Config exposures do not directly lead to system compromises but can assist attackers in planning their attacks.

The scanner looks for common locations where GolangCI-Lint configuration files, such as `.golangci.yml`, `.golangci.yaml`, `.golangci.toml`, and `.golangci.json`, might be accidentally exposed on a server. Upon accessing these paths, it checks for specific keywords like 'linters' and 'linters-settings' within the response body, confirming the presence of a linter configuration. It is crucial that such configurations are not publicly accessible to prevent unnecessary risk exposure. Generally, this scanner will generate an alert if a valid configuration is found, prompting immediate review and mitigation.

If an exposed GolangCI-Lint configuration file is exploited, attackers could use the discovered settings to guide vulnerability scans, identify linter-specific behavior, or influence code review processes. Furthermore, any included comments, notes, or examples within exposed files could inadvertently provide information about the system's environment or intended security posture. This sort of exposure, while often seen as low-severity, can lead to more severe risks if combined with other vulnerabilities.

REFERENCES

• https://golangci-lint.run/usage/configuration/