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CVE-2018-11235

Published: May 30, 2018Updated: Nov 21, 2024 Sources: CVE List NVD BDUCWE-22

Description

In Git before 2.13.7, 2.14.x before 2.14.4, 2.15.x before 2.15.2, 2.16.x before 2.16.4, and 2.17.x before 2.17.1, remote code execution can occur. With a crafted .gitmodules file, a malicious project can execute an arbitrary script on a machine that runs "git clone --recurse-submodules" because submodule "names" are obtained from this file, and then appended to $GIT_DIR/modules, leading to directory traversal with "../" in a name. Finally, post-checkout hooks from a submodule are executed, bypassing the intended design in which hooks are not obtained from a remote server.

In plain language

AI Worth attention

If you use Git on systems running older Git versions, a malicious project could run code on your machine when someone clones it with submodules enabled—but this is not a risk in normal browsing and requires a specific clone action.

Executive summary

CVE-2018-11235 is an unauthenticated local code execution issue in Git caused by path handling in submodule processing (via a crafted .gitmodules file) that can lead to unintended hook execution when cloning with --recurse-submodules.

If affected, business impact
Malicious code runs on your serverPotential full account compromiseSystem disruption or data lossSupply-chain style compromise risk

What to do now

  1. Check the installed Git version on any systems that run or perform “git clone --recurse-submodules”.
  2. Identify whether any employees/scripts clone untrusted repositories with submodules enabled (look for the --recurse-submodules option in documentation, scripts, CI jobs, and command histories).
  3. Upgrade Git to a fixed version: update to 2.17.1 or later (this also covers the affected older lines listed for 2.13.7, 2.14.4, 2.15.2, and 2.16.4).
  4. If you cannot upgrade immediately, stop cloning untrusted repos with --recurse-submodules and review/limit which repositories are allowed to be cloned from.
Patch / advisory Some work to apply

CVSS Vector Breakdown

AV:LAC:LPR:NUI:RS:UC:HI:HA:H
Exploitability
AV:LAttack Vector
Local
AC:LAttack Complexity
Low
PR:NPrivileges Required
None
UI:RUser Interaction
Required
Scope
S:UScope
Unchanged
Impact
C:HConfidentiality
High
I:HIntegrity
High
A:HAvailability
High

Weaknesses

Affected Products

and 6 more affected products View all →

Exploitability

1 exploit source identified

Exploit details including PoC links, Metasploit modules, and scanner templates are available after registration.

View exploit details
Official Patch Available

Attack Graph

Products CVE Techniques Tactics

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MITRE ATT&CK

2 techniques
Collection
Discovery
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References

and 11 more references View all →

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