CVE-2026-87817: GitPython · Repository content can impersonate the git directory, leading to arbitrary code execution
Affects snakemakeSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 8.7 High : upgrade to 9.26.0 soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 19:26 UTC
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 9.26.0
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:NExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 9 Sep 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 snakemake to 9.26.0.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Homebrewsnakemakepkg:brew/snakemakeOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
AI-suggested
A fix is available in GitPython version 9.26.0. Users should upgrade to this version or later to remediate the vulnerability. The fix involves testing the real .git directory before other candidate paths, resolving hook paths through the correct common_dir, validating HEAD contents, and disabling merge_includes in config reading. Until upgraded, users should avoid performing commits on repositories cloned or opened from untrusted sources using vulnerable GitPython versions.
Description
GitPython versions from 5.5.3 up to but not including 9.26.0 contain a vulnerability where the repository's git directory is misresolved. This allows attacker-controlled repository content to impersonate the git directory, leading to arbitrary code execution when a victim performs a commit using GitPython. The flaw arises because GitPython tests candidate paths for the git directory in an order that considers the real .git directory last, enabling tracked files named gitdir, commondir, and HEAD to mislead the resolution. This can also lead to unauthorized reading of files outside the repository and writing config files to attacker-chosen locations. The issue is fixed in version 9.26.0.
References
- github.com/gitpython-developers/GitPython/security/advisories/GHSA-239g-whfq-7xj9 (opens in a new tab)
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-87817 (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/gitpython-developers/GitPython/pull/2218 (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/gitpython-developers/GitPython/commit/c7cf4d13b1ed0a2e70f2a1f3c6b4fc6c2652cf0b (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/gitpython-developers/GitPython (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/gitpython-developers/GitPython/releases/tag/3.1.60 (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/gitpython/PYSEC-2026-3982.yaml (opens in a new tab)
- vulncheck.com/advisories/gitpython-before-3.1.60-remote-code-execution-via-git-directory-impersonation (opens in a new tab)