CVE-2018-13385 in SourceTree
Summary
by MITRE
There was an argument injection vulnerability in Sourcetree for macOS via filenames in Mercurial repositories. An attacker with permission to commit to a Mercurial repository linked in Sourcetree for macOS is able to exploit this issue to gain code execution on the system. Versions of Sourcetree for macOS from 1.0b2 before 2.7.6 are affected by this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/25/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2018-13385 represents a critical argument injection flaw in Sourcetree for macOS that specifically targets Mercurial repository operations. This issue stems from improper input validation when processing filenames within Mercurial repositories, creating a pathway for malicious code execution. The vulnerability exists in the way Sourcetree handles command-line arguments when interacting with Mercurial tools, particularly during repository operations that involve file names. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specially formatted filenames that, when processed by Sourcetree, result in unintended command execution. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it requires only commit permissions to a Mercurial repository, making it accessible to users who may not have elevated privileges but can still influence repository contents.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability falls under CWE-77, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in command execution contexts. In this case, Sourcetree fails to properly sanitize or escape filenames before incorporating them into system commands that interact with Mercurial. When a user commits a file with a maliciously crafted name, the application does not adequately validate or escape these inputs, allowing attackers to inject additional commands that get executed by the underlying system shell. This represents a classic command injection vulnerability where the application's trust in user-provided data leads to arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability is particularly insidious because it leverages the legitimate functionality of the version control system while exploiting the trust relationship between the application and the operating system.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-13385 extends beyond simple code execution to potentially compromise entire development environments and systems. An attacker with commit access can manipulate repository contents to execute malicious commands that may include data exfiltration, system modification, or privilege escalation. The vulnerability affects all versions of Sourcetree for macOS from 1.0b2 through 2.7.5, representing a substantial user base that could be impacted. Since Sourcetree is commonly used in development workflows, the attack surface includes not just individual developers but entire development teams and organizations that rely on Mercurial for version control. The consequences could include unauthorized access to source code repositories, potential data breaches, and system compromise that could extend beyond the immediate development environment. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and script interpreter execution, and potentially T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation if the executed commands have elevated privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-13385 focus on both immediate remediation and long-term prevention. The primary solution is updating to Sourcetree version 2.7.6 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and command escaping mechanisms. Organizations should implement automated patch management processes to ensure all developers have the latest secure versions installed. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing network-level restrictions on repository access, limiting commit permissions to only essential personnel. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation and proper command construction in software development, particularly for applications that interface with system-level tools. Security teams should also consider monitoring repository commit activities for unusual filename patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Implementing secure coding practices that follow the principle of least privilege and proper input sanitization can prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other applications that handle user-provided data in command contexts.