CVE-2014-6274 in git-annex
Summary
by MITRE • 06/27/2025
git-annex had a bug in the S3 and Glacier remotes where if embedcreds=yes was set, and the remote used encryption=pubkey or encryption=hybrid, the embedded AWS credentials were stored in the git repository in (effectively) plaintext, not encrypted as they were supposed to be. This issue affects git-annex: from 3.20121126 before 5.20140919.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-6274 represents a critical security flaw in the git-annex distributed version control system that specifically impacts how S3 and Glacier remote storage configurations handle credential storage. This issue stems from a fundamental misconfiguration in the encryption handling mechanism when the embedcreds=yes parameter is enabled alongside encryption=pubkey or encryption=hybrid settings. The flaw creates a situation where sensitive AWS credentials become permanently embedded within the git repository in plaintext format, effectively undermining the intended security protections that should safeguard these credentials through proper encryption mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs at the credential management layer within git-annex's remote storage handling code. When users configure their S3 or Glacier remotes with embedcreds=yes, the system is designed to embed AWS credentials directly into the repository metadata. However, the bug prevents the proper encryption of these embedded credentials when encryption=pubkey or encryption=hybrid modes are active, causing the system to store the credentials in plaintext within the repository itself. This represents a direct violation of security best practices and creates an environment where any individual with access to the git repository gains immediate access to the embedded AWS credentials without requiring additional authentication or decryption steps.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond the immediate exposure of AWS credentials, as it fundamentally compromises the security model of distributed repositories that rely on git-annex for versioned file management. Attackers who gain access to any git repository containing embedded credentials can immediately leverage these credentials to access cloud storage resources, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion. The vulnerability affects a substantial timeframe from git-annex version 3.20121126 through 5.20140919, indicating that numerous installations across different environments would have been exposed to this risk. This exposure creates a significant attack surface for organizations relying on git-annex for distributed storage management, particularly those handling sensitive or regulated data.
Security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and can be mapped to ATT&CK techniques related to credential access and privilege escalation. The flaw demonstrates a clear failure in secure credential handling practices and represents a classic example of improper data protection where sensitive information is stored without adequate cryptographic protection. Organizations using git-annex with S3 or Glacier remotes would need to immediately revoke and regenerate all affected AWS credentials, audit their repository contents for exposed credentials, and implement proper credential management practices to prevent future occurrences. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper configuration management and the necessity of validating security controls in distributed systems where credential exposure can have cascading effects across multiple repositories and storage locations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action including credential rotation for all affected repositories, implementation of configuration reviews to ensure embedcreds=yes is not used with encryption modes that do not properly encrypt credentials, and deployment of automated scanning tools to detect exposed credentials within repository history. Organizations should also implement proper access controls and monitoring for git repositories containing sensitive data, establish secure credential management practices that separate credential storage from repository content, and consider implementing additional security layers such as credential vaults or secure key management systems. The vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of thorough security testing and validation of encryption implementations in distributed systems, particularly when dealing with cloud storage integrations that require careful handling of authentication credentials.