CVE-2020-13279

Code execution via project-local Git binary

Published Jun 22, 2020 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Code execution in GitLab for VS Code 2.2.0 and earlier allows attackers to run commands when a user opens a crafted repository. The extension invokes Git through execa 1.0.0 with preferLocal enabled, causing executable resolution to search the opened project before trusted locations. A user must open the attacker-controlled repository and trigger a Git operation, after which a planted Git executable runs with the editor user's privileges.

CVSS severity8.6
High
EPSS probability1.20%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Code execution in GitLab for VS Code 2.2.0 and earlier allows attackers to run commands when a user opens a crafted repository. The extension invokes Git through execa 1.0.0 with preferLocal enabled, causing executable resolution to search the opened project before trusted locations. A user must open the attacker-controlled repository and trigger a Git operation, after which a planted Git executable runs with the editor user's privileges.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-13279
Published
Jun 22, 2020
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
GitLab
Product
GitLab for VS Code
Classifications
CWE-427, T1574.007
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jun 22, 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?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=<=2.2.0

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

GitLab · GitLab for VS Codeversion=<=2.2.0

Published CVSS scores

6.8NVDAV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
8.6GitLab Inc.CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/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.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

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

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-427Uncontrolled Search Path Element
T1574.007Path Interception by PATH Environment Variable

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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