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Gitpython CVE-2023-40590

HIGH
Untrusted Search Path (CWE-426)
2023-08-28 security-advisories@github.com
7.8
CVSS 3.1 · NVD
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Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A08:2025 - Software or Data Integrity Failures
ASVS 5.0
V13 - Configuration Search path verification
Impact

CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). Attack characteristics: local attack vector, low complexity, no privileges required, user interaction required. Public proof-of-concept exploit code is available.

Exploit ScenarioDerived

Successful exploitation could compromise the high-severity affected system.

This Week Schedule remediation this week. Why: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9).
Patch available 0.5% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAI

GitPython is a python library used to interact with Git repositories. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.

RemediationAI

No vendor patch is available at time of analysis. Monitor vendor advisories for updates. Apply vendor patches when available. Implement network segmentation and monitoring as interim mitigations.

Affected Packages

pypi gitpython fix: 3.1.33

Source: OSV (Open Source Vulnerabilities)

Affects your stack

Affects 1 package in pypi

Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.

Technical ContextAI · show details

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-426. GitPython is a python library used to interact with Git repositories. When resolving a program, Python/Windows look for the current working directory, and after that the PATH environment. 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. 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. 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. There is no fix currently available for windows users, however there are a few mitigations. 1: Default to an absolute path for the git program on Windows, like C:\\Program Files\\Git\\cmd\\git.EXE (default git path installation). 2: Require users to set the GIT_PYTHON_GIT_EXECUTABLE environment variable on Windows systems. 3: Make this problem prominent in the documentation and advise users to never run GitPython from an untrusted repo, or set the GIT_PYTHON_GIT_EXECUTABLE env var to an absolute path. 4: Resolve the executable manually by only looking into the PATH environment variable. Affected products include: Gitpython Project Gitpython.

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  • Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources

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Severity by source

NVD PRIMARY 7.8 HIGH
AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorNVD

Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
None
User Interaction
Required
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High

DescriptionNVD

GitPython is a python library used to interact with Git repositories. When resolving a program, Python/Windows look for the current working directory, and after that the PATH environment. 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. 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. 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. There is no fix currently available for windows users, however there are a few mitigations. 1: Default to an absolute path for the git program on Windows, like C:\\Program Files\\Git\\cmd\\git.EXE (default git path installation). 2: Require users to set the GIT_PYTHON_GIT_EXECUTABLE environment variable on Windows systems. 3: Make this problem prominent in the documentation and advise users to never run GitPython from an untrusted repo, or set the GIT_PYTHON_GIT_EXECUTABLE env var to an absolute path. 4: Resolve the executable manually by only looking into the PATH environment variable.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score
0.5%
Top 63% exploitable
Exploit
POC
Public exploit code exists
Data Quality
3 sources
Confidence: Low

How this decision was reached

The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.

SignalValue
Severity HIGH
CISA KEV No
Public POC Yes
EPSS 0.5%
Patch available Yes
Active threat No
Deciding rule
HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9)
What every action level means
Emergency Immediate action required. Criteria: CRITICAL + in CISA KEV (actively exploited) without patch, OR CRITICAL + EPSS > 30% without patch, OR CRITICAL + active threat signals without patch.
Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Criteria: in KEV with patch available, OR CRITICAL + public POC, OR HIGH + EPSS > 10%, OR CRITICAL + active threat, OR any CRITICAL severity.
This Week Schedule remediation this week. Criteria: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9). Patch within normal change window.
This Month Plan within 30 days. Criteria: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9), lower exploitation probability. Include in regular patch cycle.
Monitor Track and reassess. Criteria: LOW severity (CVSS 0.1-3.9), minimal exploitation risk. No immediate action needed.

SSVC AssessmentENISA

SSVC Decision· derived
Scheduled
Exploitation· derived
Poc
System Exposure· derived
Small
Automatable· derived
No
Human Impact· derived
Medium

Priority Score

59
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: 0
EPSS: 0
CVSS: +39
PoC: +20
Weaponized: 0
Threat intel: 0
Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

Information disclosure occurs when an application unintentionally exposes sensitive data that aids attackers in reconnaissance or directly compromises security.

Affected Products (CPE)NVD

cpe:2.3:a:gitpython_project:gitpython:*:*:*:*:*:python:*:*
CVE-2022-24439 CRITICAL POC
9.8 Dec 06

All versions of package gitpython are vulnerable to Remote Code Execution (RCE) due to improper user input validation, w

CVE-2026-78676 CRITICAL POC
9.3 Aug 25

Arbitrary code execution in GitPython before 3.1.59 arises from unsafe re-serialization of multi-line, quoted git-config

CVE-2026-67325 HIGH POC
8.7 Aug 01

Command injection in GitPython before 3.1.51 allows low-privileged attackers to bypass the `check_unsafe_options` blockl

CVE-2026-67323 HIGH POC
8.6 Aug 01

Command injection and arbitrary file overwrite in GitPython before 3.1.51 expose applications that pass attacker-control

CVE-2026-78677 HIGH POC
8.7 Aug 25

Arbitrary directory creation and potential hook-based code execution in GitPython affects all releases before 3.1.59. Th

CVE-2026-67322 HIGH POC
8.7 Aug 01

Environment variable exfiltration in GitPython before 3.1.52 allows any attacker who controls a URL passed to `Repo.clon

CVE-2026-78675 HIGH POC
8.6 Aug 25

GitPython before 3.1.59 discloses local file content through exception messages when parsing .gitmodules files that cont

CVE-2026-78679 HIGH POC
7.1 Aug 25

Arbitrary file read in GitPython before 3.1.59 allows low-privileged remote attackers to exfiltrate sensitive files by s

CVE-2026-78678 HIGH POC
7.1 Aug 25

Arbitrary file read in GitPython versions before 3.1.59 exposes sensitive filesystem content to low-privileged network a

CVE-2023-41040 MEDIUM POC
6.5 Aug 30

GitPython is a python library used to interact with Git repositories. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerabili

CVE-2023-40267 CRITICAL
9.8 Aug 11

GitPython before 3.1.32 does not block insecure non-multi options in clone and clone_from. Rated critical severity (CVSS

CVE-2026-67324 CRITICAL
9.3 Aug 01

Command execution in GitPython 3.1.50 arises because its default unsafe-option gate fails to recognize joined short-opti

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