CVE-2013-7203 in gitolite
Summary
by MITRE
gitolite before commit fa06a34 might allow local users to read arbitrary files in repositories via vectors related to the user umask when running gitolite setup.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/17/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-7203 affects gitolite versions prior to commit fa06a34 and represents a significant local privilege escalation and information disclosure risk within gitolite repository management systems. This flaw specifically exploits the handling of user umask settings during gitolite setup operations, creating a pathway for unauthorized users to access files they should not normally be able to read within repository structures. The vulnerability exists in the fundamental file permission handling mechanism that gitolite employs when establishing repository environments, making it particularly dangerous as it operates at the core of repository access controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper umask handling during gitolite setup processes where the system fails to properly enforce file access restrictions. When gitolite executes setup operations, it relies on the user's umask value to determine default file permissions for newly created repository files and directories. However, in vulnerable versions, this umask value is not properly sanitized or overridden, allowing local attackers to manipulate their umask settings before executing gitolite setup commands. This manipulation enables attackers to create files with overly permissive access controls, potentially exposing sensitive repository data or configuration files that contain authentication credentials, access control lists, or other privileged information.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-7203 extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass potential privilege escalation scenarios within gitolite-managed environments. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to read arbitrary files within repositories, potentially accessing sensitive data such as .git/config files, hook scripts, or other configuration elements that might contain credentials or system information. The vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely on gitolite for managing multiple repositories with varying access levels, as a compromised local account could potentially read files across different repository boundaries. This risk is amplified in environments where gitolite is used to manage repositories with sensitive source code, configuration files, or access control information, making it a critical concern for development teams and security administrators.
Security professionals should address this vulnerability through immediate patching of gitolite installations to commit fa06a34 or later versions that properly handle umask values during setup operations. The fix implemented in the patched version ensures that gitolite explicitly sets secure umask values during repository initialization, preventing attackers from manipulating file permissions through umask manipulation. Organizations should also implement comprehensive monitoring of gitolite setup operations and file access patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, system administrators should review existing repository permissions and access controls to ensure that no unauthorized access has occurred through this vulnerability, particularly focusing on repositories containing sensitive information or system configuration data. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which addresses improper file permissions, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and privilege escalation through local system access.