CVE-2018-10857 in git-annex
Summary
by MITRE
git-annex is vulnerable to a private data exposure and exfiltration attack. It could expose the content of files located outside the git-annex repository, or content from a private web server on localhost or the LAN.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/09/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-10857 affects git-annex, a distributed version control system that manages large files and datasets. This security flaw represents a critical privacy and data exposure risk that allows unauthorized access to content beyond the intended repository boundaries. The vulnerability stems from improper access controls and path traversal mechanisms within the git-annex implementation that fails to properly validate file access requests. The flaw specifically enables attackers to bypass repository isolation and potentially access files that should remain private or restricted to the local environment. This issue is particularly concerning in environments where git-annex is used to manage sensitive data or where the system hosts private web services that are intended to be accessible only within local network boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a failure in the git-annex daemon's file access validation mechanisms, which allows malicious actors to craft requests that traverse directory structures beyond the intended repository scope. The flaw occurs when git-annex processes file access requests without properly sanitizing or validating the requested file paths, potentially enabling attackers to access files located in parent directories or adjacent repositories. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Path Traversal and CWE-352 Cross-Site Request Forgery categories, as it permits unauthorized access to resources that should be protected by access controls. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can expose content from private web servers running on localhost or within the local area network, potentially compromising sensitive internal data and system configurations that are not meant to be publicly accessible.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-10857 extends beyond simple data exposure to include potential data exfiltration and system compromise scenarios. Organizations using git-annex for managing sensitive datasets, research data, or proprietary information face significant risks when this vulnerability is present in their systems. The attack surface is particularly broad because it can affect not only the git-annex repository contents but also any private web services or internal systems that rely on localhost or LAN-based access controls. This vulnerability can be exploited by remote attackers who gain access to systems running git-annex, potentially leading to unauthorized access to confidential information, intellectual property, or system configuration details. The impact is further amplified in enterprise environments where git-annex is used for collaborative development and data management, as it could provide attackers with access to multiple repositories and related data sources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-10857 should focus on immediate patching of affected git-annex installations to address the underlying path traversal and access control flaws. Organizations should implement strict network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of git-annex services to trusted networks only, while also ensuring that private web services are properly isolated from unauthorized access. The implementation of proper input validation and path sanitization within git-annex configurations is essential to prevent unauthorized access to files outside the intended repository scope. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their git-annex deployments to identify any additional vulnerabilities or misconfigurations that could be exploited in conjunction with this flaw. System administrators should also consider implementing monitoring and logging mechanisms to detect suspicious access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, while following the ATT&CK framework's guidance for detecting and preventing privilege escalation and lateral movement attacks that could leverage this vulnerability. Regular security updates and vulnerability assessments should be part of the operational security posture to prevent similar issues from arising in the future.