CVE-2026-78675: External Control of File Name or Path in gitpython-developers GitPython
GitPython versions before 3.1.59 contain a vulnerability where the merge_includes feature is not disabled when parsing .gitmodules files. This allows attackers to craft malicious .gitmodules files with include directives that reference arbitrary local file paths. When the repository's submodules are accessed, the GitConfigParser raises an exception that includes the first line of the targeted file, potentially disclosing sensitive local file content.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
The vulnerability in GitPython prior to version 3.1.59 involves improper handling of the merge_includes feature during .gitmodules parsing. Attackers can exploit this by creating a malicious .gitmodules file containing [include] directives that point to arbitrary local files. Accessing repo.submodules triggers GitConfigParser to raise a MissingSectionHeaderError, which embeds the first line of the included file in the exception message, leading to local file content disclosure.
Potential Impact
An attacker with the ability to supply or modify the .gitmodules file in a GitPython repository can cause the application to disclose the first line of arbitrary local files. This information leak could expose sensitive data, potentially aiding further attacks. The vulnerability does not require user interaction or privileges and has a high CVSS score of 8.6, indicating significant impact on confidentiality and integrity.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, avoid processing untrusted .gitmodules files or accessing repo.submodules on repositories from untrusted sources.
CVE-2026-78675: External Control of File Name or Path in gitpython-developers GitPython
Description
GitPython versions before 3.1.59 contain a vulnerability where the merge_includes feature is not disabled when parsing .gitmodules files. This allows attackers to craft malicious .gitmodules files with include directives that reference arbitrary local file paths. When the repository's submodules are accessed, the GitConfigParser raises an exception that includes the first line of the targeted file, potentially disclosing sensitive local file content.
CVSS v4.0
Score 8.6high
Affected software
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AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
The vulnerability in GitPython prior to version 3.1.59 involves improper handling of the merge_includes feature during .gitmodules parsing. Attackers can exploit this by creating a malicious .gitmodules file containing [include] directives that point to arbitrary local files. Accessing repo.submodules triggers GitConfigParser to raise a MissingSectionHeaderError, which embeds the first line of the included file in the exception message, leading to local file content disclosure.
Potential Impact
An attacker with the ability to supply or modify the .gitmodules file in a GitPython repository can cause the application to disclose the first line of arbitrary local files. This information leak could expose sensitive data, potentially aiding further attacks. The vulnerability does not require user interaction or privileges and has a high CVSS score of 8.6, indicating significant impact on confidentiality and integrity.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, avoid processing untrusted .gitmodules files or accessing repo.submodules on repositories from untrusted sources.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- VulnCheck
- Date Reserved
- 2026-08-25T01:17:12.262Z
- Cvss Version
- 4.0
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a8cf57bacd9273b498428b2
Added to database: 08/25/2026, 01:52:59 UTC
Last enriched: 08/25/2026, 02:07:31 UTC
Last updated: 08/25/2026, 02:17:11 UTC
Views: 11
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