CVE-2020-7619 in get-git-data
Summary
by MITRE
get-git-data through 1.3.1 is vulnerable to Command Injection. It is possible to inject arbitrary commands as part of the arguments provided to get-git-data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/13/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-7619 affects the get-git-data utility version 1.3.1 and earlier, presenting a critical command injection flaw that enables attackers to execute arbitrary system commands through improperly sanitized input parameters. This issue arises from insufficient validation and sanitization of user-provided arguments passed to the utility, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the underlying system commands executed by the application. The vulnerability specifically impacts the argument processing functionality where input values are directly incorporated into shell commands without adequate escaping or validation mechanisms, making it susceptible to exploitation by threat actors who understand how to craft malicious input sequences that bypass normal parameter handling.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input handling within the get-git-data utility where command-line arguments are constructed by concatenating user-supplied values directly into shell execution contexts. This pattern represents a classic command injection vulnerability classified under CWE-78, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious commands through argument parameters, potentially enabling full system compromise when the utility executes with elevated privileges. The attack vector typically involves crafting input strings that contain shell metacharacters such as semicolons, ampersands, or command substitution operators that cause the system to interpret additional commands beyond the intended functionality.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to systems where get-git-data is deployed, particularly in environments where the utility operates with administrative privileges or has access to sensitive repositories and system resources. The impact extends beyond simple command execution to potential privilege escalation scenarios, especially when the utility runs with elevated permissions or interacts with privileged system components. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information, modify system configurations, install backdoors, or establish persistent access to affected systems. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in continuous integration/continuous deployment pipelines where such utilities might be invoked with untrusted input from external sources, creating potential supply chain attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-7619 should focus on immediate remediation through patching the affected utility to version 1.3.2 or later, which incorporates proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms. Organizations should implement strict input validation at multiple layers, ensuring that all user-provided arguments undergo comprehensive sanitization before being processed or passed to system commands. The recommended approach involves using parameterized command execution methods rather than string concatenation, implementing proper escaping of special characters, and employing principle of least privilege for utility execution contexts. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of systems running vulnerable versions, while monitoring for suspicious command execution patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify other instances of similar command injection patterns within their software ecosystem, as this vulnerability type remains prevalent in many applications and systems.