Code execution via unguarded Repo.init template option
Published Aug 19, 2026 · Updated Aug 20, 2026
Code execution in GitPython before 3.1.58 allows attackers to run arbitrary code via a crafted template path passed to Repo.init. Repo.init forwards keyword arguments directly to git init without an unsafe-option guard, letting template reference an attacker-controlled directory whose hooks are copied into the new repository. Exposure requires an application to let an attacker influence that argument and reach a staged hook directory; the planted hook then runs with the host process's privileges on the next Git operation in that repository.
Summary
What happened
Code execution in GitPython before 3.1.58 allows attackers to run arbitrary code via a crafted template path passed to Repo.init. Repo.init forwards keyword arguments directly to git init without an unsafe-option guard, letting template reference an attacker-controlled directory whose hooks are copied into the new repository. Exposure requires an application to let an attacker influence that argument and reach a staged hook directory; the planted hook then runs with the host process's privileges on the next Git operation in that repository.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-76218
- Published
- Aug 19, 2026
- Updated
- Aug 20, 2026
- Vendor
- GitPython Developers
- Product
- GitPython
- Classifications
- CWE-88, CWE-94, T1059
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Aug 19, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Aug 20, 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.
- Affected versionversion=0 <3.1.58
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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.
Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
- GHSA-9rj7-rf2p-w77r proof of conceptproof of concept · demonstrated
Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.
Technologies
Your stack
See the directory against your own environment.
Your stack
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