CVE-2018-5226 in SourceTree
Summary
by MITRE
There was an argument injection vulnerability in Sourcetree for Windows via Mercurial repository tag name that is going to be deleted. An attacker with permission to create a tag on a Mercurial repository linked in Sourcetree for Windows is able to exploit this issue to gain code execution on the system. All versions of Sourcetree for Windows before 2.5.5.0 are affected by this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/31/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-5226 represents a critical argument injection flaw within Atlassian Sourcetree for Windows version 2.5.4.0 and earlier, specifically affecting the Mercurial repository management functionality. This issue arises from inadequate input validation when processing repository tag names that are scheduled for deletion, creating a pathway for malicious code execution. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into system commands, a fundamental security oversight that directly contravenes established secure coding practices.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a command injection vector where an attacker with repository write permissions can manipulate tag names to include malicious command sequences. When Sourcetree processes these specially crafted tag names during deletion operations, the application executes the embedded commands within the context of the user's privileges, potentially enabling arbitrary code execution. This flaw aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-94 categories, representing command injection vulnerabilities that allow attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the target system. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the application constructs shell commands using untrusted input without proper sanitization or escaping mechanisms, creating a direct pathway for privilege escalation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with the ability to perform extensive system compromise operations including data exfiltration, persistence establishment, and further lateral movement within the network. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to sensitive repository data, potentially exposing intellectual property, source code, and confidential information. The risk is particularly elevated in enterprise environments where Sourcetree is widely deployed for version control management, as it provides a potential entry point for attackers to compromise development environments and access critical source code repositories. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and script interpreter execution, enabling adversaries to establish persistent access through malicious command injection.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate application of the patch released in Sourcetree version 2.5.5.0, which implements proper input validation and sanitization of repository tag names. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit repository write permissions to authorized personnel only, reducing the attack surface. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous command execution patterns and unusual repository modification activities. Additionally, regular security assessments of development tools and version control systems should be conducted to identify similar injection vulnerabilities in other applications. System administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting policies and privilege separation to minimize the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts, while also maintaining comprehensive audit logs for forensic analysis and incident response activities.