CVE-2020-12278Network attack vector

Remote code execution via NTFS path confusion

Published Apr 27, 2020 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Improper input validation in libgit2 before 0.28.4 and 0.99.0 allows remote attackers to execute code via a crafted repository clone. The path.c validation logic treats NTFS Alternate Data Stream-equivalent names as distinct and permits writes into the .git directory during cloning. Exploitation requires cloning an attacker-controlled repository on a filesystem that interprets these names; no authentication is required.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability5.24%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper input validation in libgit2 before 0.28.4 and 0.99.0 allows remote attackers to execute code via a crafted repository clone. The path.c validation logic treats NTFS Alternate Data Stream-equivalent names as distinct and permits writes into the .git directory during cloning. Exploitation requires cloning an attacker-controlled repository on a filesystem that interprets these names; no authentication is required.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-12278
Published
Apr 27, 2020
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-20, T1203
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Apr 27, 2020CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 4, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

9.8GitLab Advisory DatabaseCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-20Improper Input Validation
T1203Exploitation for Client Execution

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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