CVE-2013-0308 in Git
Summary
by MITRE
The imap-send command in GIT before 1.8.1.4 does not verify that the server hostname matches a domain name in the subject s Common Name (CN) or subjectAltName field of the X.509 certificate, which allows man-in-the-middle attackers to spoof SSL servers via an arbitrary valid certificate.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/30/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-0308 affects the git imap-send command in versions prior to 1.8.1.4, representing a critical security flaw in the transport layer security implementation of the git version control system. This weakness stems from insufficient SSL certificate validation mechanisms within the command's secure communication protocol, creating a significant attack surface for malicious actors seeking to compromise the integrity of git operations. The issue specifically targets the certificate verification process that occurs during SSL/TLS connections, where the system fails to properly validate that the server's hostname matches the domain names specified in the X.509 certificate's subject common name or subject alternative name fields.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper implementation of hostname verification during SSL/TLS handshakes, where the git client accepts any valid SSL certificate without ensuring proper hostname alignment. This vulnerability falls under the category of weak certificate validation as defined by CWE-295, which specifically addresses the failure to validate certificate hostnames. The absence of proper certificate hostname verification creates a man-in-the-middle attack vector where attackers can intercept and manipulate git communications by presenting a valid certificate for a different domain than the one being accessed. This allows adversaries to establish fraudulent connections to git servers, potentially redirecting traffic to malicious endpoints while maintaining the appearance of legitimate secure communication.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it fundamentally undermines the trust model of secure git operations. When attackers successfully exploit this weakness, they can transparently redirect git commands to malicious servers, potentially compromising repository integrity and enabling unauthorized code modifications or data exfiltration. The vulnerability affects any git operations that utilize the imap-send command for email-based repository interactions, making it particularly dangerous in environments where developers rely on secure email-based git workflows. Organizations using older git versions may unknowingly expose their source code repositories to attack, with potential consequences ranging from code tampering to complete repository compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-0308 primarily focus on upgrading to git version 1.8.1.4 or later, which includes proper SSL certificate hostname verification. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all git installations are updated with the latest security fixes. Additional protective measures include configuring git to use strict SSL certificate validation through environment variables or configuration settings that enforce hostname matching. Organizations should also consider implementing network-level monitoring to detect unusual git traffic patterns that might indicate certificate validation bypass attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques involving credential access and defense evasion, as attackers can leverage it to gain unauthorized access to repositories while avoiding detection through proper certificate validation. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper SSL/TLS implementation in version control systems and highlights the need for robust certificate validation mechanisms across all network communication components.