CVE-2018-3785 in git-dummy-commit
Summary
by MITRE
A command injection in git-dummy-commit v1.3.0 allows os level commands to be executed due to an unescaped parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/16/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-3785 represents a critical command injection flaw within the git-dummy-commit utility version 1.3.0. This tool is commonly used in development environments to generate dummy commits for testing purposes, particularly in continuous integration pipelines and automated build systems. The vulnerability arises from improper input validation and parameter handling within the utility's command execution logic. When users pass arguments to the git-dummy-commit tool, the application fails to properly escape or sanitize these inputs before incorporating them into system commands, creating an avenue for malicious code execution at the operating system level.
This command injection vulnerability operates through the fundamental principle of insufficient input sanitization, which maps directly to CWE-77 and CWE-88 within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The flaw allows an attacker to inject arbitrary operating system commands by manipulating the parameters passed to the utility. When the tool executes system commands using user-supplied input without proper escaping or validation, it creates a direct pathway for privilege escalation and remote code execution. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in automated environments where the utility might be invoked with elevated privileges or in contexts where untrusted input is processed without proper security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution, as it can be exploited to compromise entire development environments and CI/CD pipelines. Attackers could potentially execute malicious commands that modify or delete repository contents, access sensitive configuration files, or even establish persistent backdoors within the development infrastructure. The vulnerability affects systems where git-dummy-commit is used in automated workflows, making it particularly concerning for organizations that rely on continuous integration systems, automated testing frameworks, or any environment where the utility might process untrusted input from multiple sources. The risk is amplified when the utility runs with elevated privileges or in environments where it interacts with sensitive data or systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-3785 should focus on immediate patching of the git-dummy-commit utility to version 1.3.1 or later, which contains the necessary input validation and parameter escaping fixes. Organizations should also implement strict input validation controls wherever system commands are executed, ensuring that all user-supplied parameters are properly sanitized and escaped before being incorporated into command strings. The implementation of principle of least privilege should be enforced, limiting the execution context of the utility to reduce potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual command execution patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other development tools and utilities within the environment. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and proper input handling in preventing command injection attacks, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter.