CVE-2008-3546 in Git
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the (1) diff_addremove and (2) diff_change functions in GIT before 1.5.6.4 might allow local users to execute arbitrary code via a PATH whose length is larger than the system s PATH_MAX when running GIT utilities such as git-diff or git-grep.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/26/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3546 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow in the git version control system affecting releases prior to 1.5.6.4. This flaw exists within two specific functions: diff_addremove and diff_change which are integral components of git's diff utilities. The vulnerability manifests when users execute git-diff or git-grep commands with a PATH environment variable exceeding the system's PATH_MAX limit, creating a condition where arbitrary code execution becomes possible. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and buffer size management within the git utility's internal processing mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the fundamental principle of stack memory management where insufficient bounds checking allows data to overflow into adjacent memory regions. When the PATH environment variable exceeds the predetermined buffer size, the overflow corrupts the stack frame, potentially allowing malicious code to overwrite return addresses, function pointers, or other critical execution metadata. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which specifically addresses buffer overflows occurring in stack memory regions. The attack vector requires local execution privileges and leverages the inherent trust placed in standard system utilities by users and applications.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant security implications for any system running vulnerable versions of git. The local execution requirement means that attackers must already have access to the system to exploit this flaw, but the potential for privilege escalation remains high given that git utilities often run with elevated permissions during repository operations. The impact extends beyond simple code execution to include potential data corruption, system instability, and unauthorized access to version-controlled repositories. Organizations using git for source code management, deployment automation, or collaborative development environments face substantial risk if not patched promptly.
The remediation strategy for CVE-2008-3546 requires immediate deployment of the patched git version 1.5.6.4 or subsequent releases that contain proper buffer size validation and input sanitization. System administrators should conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all systems running vulnerable git versions and implement patch management procedures. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing runtime protections such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and non-executable stack protections to mitigate potential exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous PATH environment variable usage patterns that might indicate attempted exploitation of this vulnerability. This remediation approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 for Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, ensuring comprehensive protection against both exploitation and detection of such attacks.
The broader implications of this vulnerability demonstrate the critical importance of proper input validation in system utilities and highlight the potential for seemingly benign environment variables to become attack vectors. This case study emphasizes the need for rigorous security testing of command-line utilities and the importance of adhering to secure coding practices that prevent buffer overflows through proper bounds checking and memory management. Organizations should establish regular security assessments of their development tools and version control systems to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited in production environments.