CVE-2010-2447 in gitolite
Summary
by MITRE
gitolite before 1.4.1 does not filter src/ or hooks/ from path names.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-2447 affects gitolite versions prior to 1.4.1, representing a critical path traversal issue within the gitolite access control system. This flaw resides in the gitolite configuration handling mechanism where the system fails to properly sanitize or filter potentially malicious path components, specifically targeting the src/ and hooks/ directory names that are commonly used in git repository structures. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and path normalization within the gitolite codebase, allowing unauthorized users to exploit directory traversal patterns during repository access or configuration operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability enables attackers to manipulate repository paths by injecting src/ or hooks/ directory references into file or directory names during gitolite operations. This occurs because gitolite does not adequately validate or sanitize the path components before processing them, creating a condition where maliciously crafted repository names or file references could bypass access controls and potentially lead to unauthorized access to sensitive repository data or configuration files. The flaw operates at the core of gitolite's path handling logic, where it processes repository paths without sufficient sanitization of potentially dangerous directory components.
Operationally, this vulnerability can result in severe security implications for organizations relying on gitolite for repository access control. Attackers could potentially access or modify files in the src/ or hooks/ directories of repositories, which often contain critical source code, configuration scripts, or execution hooks that control repository behavior. The impact extends beyond simple access violations to potentially allow privilege escalation, code injection, or data exfiltration depending on how the affected repositories are configured and what sensitive information they contain. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of git repositories managed through gitolite, undermining the security controls that organizations depend upon for code management and access governance.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to gitolite version 1.4.1 or later to address this vulnerability, as the fix includes proper path sanitization and filtering mechanisms that prevent src/ and hooks/ directory components from being processed inappropriately. Additional mitigations include implementing network-level restrictions to limit access to gitolite servers, conducting comprehensive code reviews of custom gitolite configurations, and monitoring repository access logs for suspicious path traversal attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing automated scanning tools that can detect potentially malicious path patterns in git repository operations and establish baseline configurations that explicitly prevent the use of dangerous directory names in repository structures. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Path Traversal and represents a significant concern for organizations utilizing gitolite for enterprise code management, as it directly impacts the fundamental security assumptions of repository access controls. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique through path manipulation, where attackers leverage system-level configuration flaws to gain unauthorized access to protected resources.