CVE-2026-5917Network attack vector

Remote command execution via unescaped SSH repository path

Published Aug 11, 2026 · Updated Aug 11, 2026

Command injection in libgit2 0.27.0 through 1.9.0 allows remote attackers to execute commands via a crafted SSH repository path. The gen_proto() function in ssh_libssh2.c inserts the unescaped path into the command passed to libssh2_channel_exec(), allowing shell metacharacters to alter it. Exploitation requires a victim application built with USE_SSH=libssh2 to process an attacker-controlled submodule during a recursive clone; commands run on the SSH server as the victim's SSH account.

CVSS severity9.4
Critical
EPSS probability0.88%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Command injection in libgit2 0.27.0 through 1.9.0 allows remote attackers to execute commands via a crafted SSH repository path. The gen_proto() function in ssh_libssh2.c inserts the unescaped path into the command passed to libssh2_channel_exec(), allowing shell metacharacters to alter it. Exploitation requires a victim application built with USE_SSH=libssh2 to process an attacker-controlled submodule during a recursive clone; commands run on the SSH server as the victim's SSH account.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-5917
Published
Aug 11, 2026
Updated
Aug 11, 2026
Vendor
libgit2
Product
libgit2
Classifications
CWE-78, T1204.002
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 11, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 11, 2026Record 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=0.27.0 <=1.9.0

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

libgit2 · libgit2version=0.27.0 <=1.9.0

Published CVSS scores

9.6VulnCheckCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
9.4VulnCheckCVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:A/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H
8.8Amazon LinuxCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/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.

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)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-78Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')
T1204.002Malicious File

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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