CVE-2026-78677Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Arbitrary directory creation via unblocked separate-git-dir option

Published Aug 25, 2026 · Updated Aug 25, 2026

Path traversal in GitPython before 3.1.59 allows attackers to create Git metadata directories outside the clone destination. Repo.clone_from() and Repo.clone() pass a caller-controlled separate_git_dir option to git clone because unsafe_git_clone_options omits its denial. Exploitation requires a host application to forward that input; writes are limited by the GitPython process's filesystem permissions, and hook execution requires a later Git operation.

CVSS severity8.7
High
EPSS probability0.43%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Path traversal in GitPython before 3.1.59 allows attackers to create Git metadata directories outside the clone destination. Repo.clone_from() and Repo.clone() pass a caller-controlled separate_git_dir option to git clone because unsafe_git_clone_options omits its denial. Exploitation requires a host application to forward that input; writes are limited by the GitPython process's filesystem permissions, and hook execution requires a later Git operation.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-78677
Published
Aug 25, 2026
Updated
Aug 25, 2026
Vendor
GitPython Developers
Product
GitPython
Classifications
CWE-22, CWE-73
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 25, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 25, 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 <3.1.59

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

GitPython Developers · GitPythonversion=0 <3.1.59

Published CVSS scores

8.7VulnCheck CNACVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N
7.5VulnCheck CNACVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N

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 exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-22Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')
CWE-73External Control of File Name or Path

Public exploit references

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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