shallow-backup · GitPython: Arbitrary file truncation via git rev-list --output argument injection in unguarded Commit.count
Affects shallow-backupSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 5.3 Medium : upgrade to 6.6_5 when convenient.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 17:16 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.3% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 29% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 6.6_5
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:N/VI:L/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/SA:NExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 13 Aug 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponised: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 26 Oct 2026.
What to do
Upgrade shallow-backup to 6.6_5.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Homebrewshallow-backuppkg:brew/shallow-backupOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
Description
## Summary `Commit.count()` forwards `**kwargs` into `rev_list` with **no** `check_unsafe_options` guard (the guard exists only in the sibling `iter_items`, commit.py:341). `git rev-list --output=<path>` opens and truncates the target file to 0 bytes before revision parsing, so `count(output='/victim')` destroys/blanks an arbitrary file. ## Root Cause `commit.py:290-291` calls `self.repo.git.rev_list(self.hexsha, **kwargs)` with no `check_unsafe_options` and no `allow_unsafe_options` parameter. The sibling `iter_items` (commit.py:341) is guarded; `count` is not. This is a distinct, uncovered sink — GHSA-956x-8gvw-wg5v fixed `iter_commits`/`blame`, not `count`. ## Impact Destroy/blank an arbitrary file at process privilege (integrity/availability). Reachability is key-control only (`count` uses `self.hexsha`, not a user ref), and the write is a 0-byte truncation (no content control), so MEDIUM. ## Proof of Concept ```python commit.count(output='/path/to/victim') # victim truncated to 0 bytes (verified) # control: commit.iter_commits(output=...) raises UnsafeOptionError ``` ## Attack Chain 1. Entry: app forwards user options -> `commit.count(output='/victim')`. Guard: none. Bypass proof: `iter_commits(output=)` raises UnsafeOptionError; `count(output=)` does not — verified side-by-side. 2. Sink: `git rev-list <sha> --output=/victim` -> file truncated to 0 bytes. Impact: destroy/blank arbitrary file. ## Bypass Evidence Live-verified on HEAD (tag 3.1.53): `count(output=<victim>)` truncated a pre-existing file to 0 bytes; guarded `iter_commits(output=)` raised UnsafeOptionError. Same CNA-accepted "app forwards user options dict" model as GHSA-956x-8gvw-wg5v's `archive(**kwargs)`. Uncovered sink, not a duplicate. ## Affected Versions `<= 3.1.53` ## Suggested Fix Add `check_unsafe_options` to `Commit.count` (mirroring `iter_items`). --- Reported by **zx (Jace)** — GitHub: @manus-use
References
- github.com/gitpython-developers/GitPython/security/advisories/GHSA-p538-c434-8v24 (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/gitpython-developers/GitPython/pull/2184 (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/gitpython-developers/GitPython/commit/38553b6fddc7f6a667cdb45a6762343a08fc72b2 (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/gitpython-developers/GitPython (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/gitpython-developers/GitPython/releases/tag/3.1.56 (opens in a new tab)