CVE-2010-0394 in trac-git
Summary
by MITRE
PyGIT.py in the Trac Git plugin (trac-git) before 0.0.20080710-3+lenny1 and before 0.0.20090320-1 on Debian GNU/Linux, when enabled in Trac, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in a crafted HTTP query that is used to generate a certain git command.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/30/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-0394 represents a critical command injection flaw within the Trac Git plugin's PyGIT.py component. This issue affects specific versions of the trac-git plugin prior to 0.0.20080710-3+lenny1 for Debian GNU/Linux and before 0.0.20090320-1, creating a significant security risk for organizations utilizing Trac with Git integration. The flaw stems from inadequate input sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or validate user-supplied data before incorporating it into system commands.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of HTTP query parameters that are subsequently processed by the PyGIT.py script. When attackers craft malicious HTTP requests containing shell metacharacters such as semicolons, ampersands, or backticks, these characters are interpreted by the underlying shell and executed as part of the git command execution chain. This process directly violates secure coding principles and represents a classic command injection vulnerability pattern that has been extensively documented in the CWE database under CWE-78 as "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command."
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft or service disruption, as it provides attackers with arbitrary command execution capabilities on the affected system. An attacker could potentially escalate privileges, access sensitive system files, modify repository contents, or even establish persistent backdoors within the Trac environment. The attack surface is particularly concerning because Trac systems often serve as central collaboration platforms for software development teams, making them attractive targets for adversaries seeking to compromise development workflows and access source code repositories.
This vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK framework techniques including T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution, demonstrating how a single flaw can enable multiple attack vectors. Organizations running affected versions of the trac-git plugin face significant risk of unauthorized access to their source code repositories, potentially leading to intellectual property theft, code manipulation, or further lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The vulnerability's presence in widely-used Debian packages means that numerous organizations across different sectors could be impacted, making it a high-priority remediation target for security teams.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of the trac-git plugin to versions that properly sanitize input parameters before command execution. System administrators should also implement network-level controls such as web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious HTTP query parameters. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected plugin and ensure proper input validation mechanisms are in place. The remediation process must include thorough testing to verify that the patch does not introduce regressions in legitimate functionality while effectively addressing the command injection vulnerability.