CVE-2017-1000117 in Git
Summary
by MITRE
A malicious third-party can give a crafted "ssh://..." URL to an unsuspecting victim, and an attempt to visit the URL can result in any program that exists on the victim's machine being executed. Such a URL could be placed in the .gitmodules file of a malicious project, and an unsuspecting victim could be tricked into running "git clone --recurse-submodules" to trigger the vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/30/2025
This vulnerability exists within the git version control system and represents a critical remote code execution flaw that leverages the git submodules functionality. The issue stems from how git handles SSH URLs in submodule configurations, specifically when processing the .gitmodules file during recursive cloning operations. An attacker can craft a malicious SSH URL that contains specially formatted command sequences which get executed when the victim runs git clone --recurse-submodules. The vulnerability operates by exploiting the way git processes these URLs through the underlying SSH client implementation, where command injection occurs during the submodule initialization phase.
The technical exploitation mechanism involves the manipulation of SSH URLs within the .gitmodules configuration file, where the attacker can embed shell commands that will execute when git attempts to establish connections to the specified submodule repositories. This occurs because git does not properly sanitize or validate the SSH URL components before passing them to the underlying SSH execution layer. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal user interaction beyond the standard git clone operation, making it highly effective for social engineering attacks. When a victim executes git clone --recurse-submodules on a repository containing malicious submodule references, the git tool automatically attempts to initialize all submodules, triggering the command execution without requiring additional user confirmation or interaction.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple code execution, as it allows attackers to perform arbitrary operations on the victim's system with the privileges of the user running the git command. This includes potential data exfiltration, system compromise, and persistence mechanisms. The vulnerability affects all versions of git prior to 2.13.3 and 2.14.1, making it particularly widespread across development environments. Organizations using git for code management and collaboration are at risk, especially when working with untrusted repositories or when developers frequently clone projects with recursive submodules. The attack vector is particularly insidious because it can be embedded within legitimate-looking repositories, making it difficult for users to identify malicious activity.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of git installations to versions 2.13.3 or 2.14.1, which contain the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement strict policies around submodule usage and repository verification, particularly when dealing with external or untrusted code. Network-level protections such as SSH URL filtering and validation can provide additional defense in depth, though these may impact legitimate workflows. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-78, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for executing commands through shell interactions. Security teams should also consider implementing automated scanning of .gitmodules files and establishing secure development practices that minimize exposure to malicious repositories while maintaining productivity workflows.