Code execution via Git directory impersonation
Published Sep 9, 2026 · Updated Sep 10, 2026
Improper Git directory validation in GitPython before 3.1.60 allows remote attackers to execute code through a malicious repository. Repo initialization accepts a working-tree directory containing attacker-tracked gitdir, commondir, and HEAD files as Git metadata, so index.commit() invokes a tracked hooks/pre-commit program. Execution requires a victim process to clone or open the repository and call index.commit(), and the hook runs with that process's privileges.
Summary
What happened
Improper Git directory validation in GitPython before 3.1.60 allows remote attackers to execute code through a malicious repository. Repo initialization accepts a working-tree directory containing attacker-tracked gitdir, commondir, and HEAD files as Git metadata, so index.commit() invokes a tracked hooks/pre-commit program. Execution requires a victim process to clone or open the repository and call index.commit(), and the hook runs with that process's privileges.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-87817
- Published
- Sep 9, 2026
- Updated
- Sep 10, 2026
- Vendor
- GitPython Developers
- Product
- GitPython
- Classifications
- CWE-20, T1204.002
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Sep 9, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Sep 10, 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 <3.1.60
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
No CVSS assessment is available in this record.
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.
Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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