CVE-2018-13386 in SourceTree
Summary
by MITRE
There was an argument injection vulnerability in Sourcetree for Windows via filenames in Mercurial repositories. An attacker with permission to commit to a Mercurial repository linked in Sourcetree for Windows is able to exploit this issue to gain code execution on the system. Versions of Sourcetree for Windows before version 2.6.9 are affected by this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/25/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2018-13386 represents a critical argument injection flaw in Atlassian Sourcetree for Windows version 2.6.8 and earlier, specifically affecting Mercurial repository operations. This security weakness stems from inadequate input sanitization when processing filenames within Mercurial repositories, creating a pathway for malicious code execution. The vulnerability manifests when users commit files to Mercurial repositories through Sourcetree's interface, where specially crafted filenames can be exploited to inject arbitrary command arguments. The flaw operates at the intersection of software configuration management and command execution, where the application fails to properly escape or validate user-supplied data before passing it to underlying system commands. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-77, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in command lines, making it particularly dangerous in development environments where users often have elevated privileges. The attack vector specifically targets the Mercurial version control system integration within Sourcetree, where filenames containing malicious command sequences can be processed without proper sanitization.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows an attacker with commit permissions to a Mercurial repository to inject malicious arguments into command execution flows. When Sourcetree processes filenames during commit operations, it fails to properly sanitize input that may contain special characters or command delimiters used in shell execution contexts. This creates a scenario where filenames containing semicolons, pipes, or other shell metacharacters can be interpreted as command separators, enabling arbitrary code execution on the target system. The vulnerability leverages the trust relationship between the application and its users, as the attacker needs only commit access to the repository rather than direct system access. The impact is amplified because Sourcetree typically runs with elevated privileges in development environments, making successful exploitation potentially devastating. This weakness demonstrates a classic command injection pattern where user-controlled data flows directly into system command invocations without proper validation or escaping mechanisms. The attack surface is particularly concerning in enterprise development environments where Sourcetree is commonly used for version control management.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-13386 extends beyond simple code execution to potentially compromise entire development environments and development infrastructure. When exploited, this vulnerability can enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the user running Sourcetree, which often includes administrative or developer-level permissions. The attack requires minimal prerequisites beyond commit access to a repository, making it particularly dangerous in collaborative development environments where multiple developers have repository access. Organizations using Sourcetree for Windows in their development workflows face significant risk, as this vulnerability can lead to data exfiltration, system compromise, or further lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability's impact is compounded by the fact that many development teams may not regularly update their Sourcetree installations, leaving systems exposed for extended periods. This type of vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter, as the exploitation involves injecting commands through legitimate software interfaces. The attack can potentially bypass traditional security controls that might monitor network traffic but not command execution within local applications, making detection particularly challenging.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-13386 require immediate action to upgrade to Sourcetree version 2.6.9 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and argument escaping mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management policies to ensure all development tools receive timely updates, particularly those with direct system access capabilities. Security teams should consider implementing network monitoring to detect unusual command execution patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additional protective measures include restricting commit permissions to only trusted individuals, implementing code review processes for repository changes, and monitoring for suspicious filenames in version control systems. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of unauthorized binaries within development environments. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation in all software components that interact with system commands or external processes, emphasizing the need for defense-in-depth strategies. Regular security assessments of development tools and environments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities that might exist in other applications. The remediation process should include thorough testing of the updated version to ensure that legitimate functionality remains intact while the vulnerability is properly addressed.