GitPython untrusted search path on Windows systems leading to arbitrary code execution
Summary
When resolving a program, Python/Windows look for the current working directory, and after that the PATH environment (see big warning in https://docs.python.org/3/library/subprocess.html#popen-constructor). GitPython defaults to use the git command, if a user runs GitPython from a repo has a git.exe or git executable, that program will be run instead of the one in the user's PATH.
Details
This is more of a problem on how Python interacts with Windows systems, Linux and any other OS aren't affected by this. But probably people using GitPython usually run it from the CWD of a repo.
The execution of the git command happens in
And there are other commands executed that should probably be aware of this problem.
PoC
On a Windows system, create a git.exe or git executable in any directory, and import or run GitPython from that directory
python -c "import git"The git executable from the current directory will be run.
Impact
An attacker can trick a user to download a repository with a malicious git executable, if the user runs/imports GitPython from that directory, it allows the attacker to run any arbitrary commands.
Possible solutions
- Default to an absolute path for the git program on Windows, like
C:\\Program Files\\Git\\cmd\\git.EXE(default git path installation). - Require users to set the
GIT_PYTHON_GIT_EXECUTABLEenvironment variable on Windows systems. - Make this problem prominent in the documentation and advise users to never run GitPython from an untrusted repo, or set the
GIT_PYTHON_GIT_EXECUTABLEenv var to an absolute path. - Resolve the executable manually by only looking into the
PATHenvironment variable (suggested by @Byron)
[!NOTE] This vulnerability was reported via email, and it was decided to publish it here and make it public, so the community is aware of it, and a fix can be provided.
Software afectado
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| Plataforma | Paquete | Versiones vulnerables | Corregida en |
|---|---|---|---|
| Python (PyPI) | gitpython | < 3.1.33 | 3.1.33 |
Referencias
- https://docs.python.org/3/library/subprocess.html#popen-constructor
- https://github.com/gitpython-developers/GitPython/security/advisories/GHSA-wfm5-v35h-vwf4
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-40590
- https://github.com/gitpython-developers/GitPython/issues/1635
- https://github.com/gitpython-developers/GitPython/pull/1636
- https://github.com/gitpython-developers/GitPython/commit/8b75434e2c8a082cdeb4971cc6f0ee2bafec45bc
- https://github.com/gitpython-developers/GitPython
- https://github.com/gitpython-developers/GitPython/releases/tag/3.1.33
- https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/gitpython/PYSEC-2023-161.yaml
- Vector CVSS
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H- Debilidad (CWE)
CWE-426- Plataforma
- Python (PyPI)
- Paquete
gitpython- Publicada
- 28.08.2023
- Actualizado
- 11.10.2026 15:17
Fuentes y licencias
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - PYSEC-2023-161 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-wfm5-v35h-vwf4 - CC BY 4.0
Historial de vulnerabilidades: gitpython
Todas las vulnerabilidades publicadas de este paquete (Python (PyPI)), de la más reciente a la más antigua. Muestra si es un fallo aislado o un paquete que hay que vigilar.
- Entradas en total
- 37
- Primera → última
- 12.2022 09.2026
- Sin corrección
- 0
- Explotada en ataques
- 0
Distribución por gravedad
- Crítica 3
- Alta 26
- Media 8
Divulgaciones por año
- 2022: 1
- 2023: 3
- 2024: 1
- 2025: 0
- 2026: 32
-
GitPython untrusted search path on Windows systems leading to arbitrary code execution esta entrada
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