#VU72246 Link following in Git - CVE-2023-22490

Vulnerability identifier: #VU72246

Vulnerability risk: Low

CVSSv4.0: 0.2 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:A/VC:L/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/U:Clear]

CVE-ID: CVE-2023-22490

CWE-ID: CWE-59

Exploitation vector: Network

Exploit availability: No

Vulnerable software:
Git
Client/Desktop applications / Software for system administration

Vendor: Git

Description

The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to gain access to sensitive information.

The vulnerability exists due to insecure processing of symbolic links when using local clone optimization. Git will abort local clones whose source `$GIT_DIR/objects` directory contains symbolic links, however the `objects` directory itself may still be a symbolic link. A remote attacker can trick the victim into using the local clone optimization to exfiltrate arbitrary files from the victim's system.

Mitigation
Install updates from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

Git: 2.30.0 - 2.39.1

---

External links
https://github.com/git/git/commit/c867e4fa180bec4750e9b54eb10f459030dbebfd
https://github.com/git/git/security/advisories/GHSA-gw92-x3fm-3g3q

---

Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

Yes. This vulnerability can be exploited by a remote non-authenticated attacker via the Internet.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.