CVE-2022-24437 in git-pull-or-clone
Summary
by MITRE • 05/01/2022
The package git-pull-or-clone before 2.0.2 are vulnerable to Command Injection due to the use of the --upload-pack feature of git which is also supported for git clone. The source includes the use of the secure child process API spawn(). However, the outpath parameter passed to it may be a command-line argument to the git clone command and result in arbitrary command injection.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-24437 affects the git-pull-or-clone package version prior to 2.0.2 and represents a critical command injection flaw that undermines the security of git operations. This vulnerability arises from the improper handling of user-supplied input within the --upload-pack feature implementation, which is also supported by the standard git clone command. The flaw demonstrates a classic security oversight where input validation and sanitization mechanisms fail to properly handle potentially malicious command-line arguments that could be passed through the outpath parameter. The package utilizes the secure child process API spawn() function for executing git operations, which is generally considered a safe approach for spawning child processes. However, this security measure proves insufficient when the outpath parameter is directly incorporated into the command-line arguments without proper sanitization or escaping mechanisms. This oversight creates a pathway for attackers to inject arbitrary commands that will be executed with the privileges of the user running the git-pull-or-clone operation.
The technical execution of this vulnerability relies on the fact that the outpath parameter, which should contain only a valid file path, can be manipulated to include command injection payloads. When the git clone command processes this parameter through the --upload-pack feature, any malicious input within the outpath variable gets interpreted as additional command-line arguments or even as executable commands. This behavior aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-88 categories, which specifically address command injection vulnerabilities where user-controllable data is incorporated into command execution contexts without proper validation or escaping. The vulnerability operates at the interface between user input and system command execution, where the secure spawn() API is bypassed due to improper parameter handling. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious outpath values that contain shell metacharacters, semicolons, or other command injection sequences that will be processed by the underlying shell when git clone executes. The impact is particularly severe because git operations often run with elevated privileges, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system with the same permissions as the git process.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-24437 extends beyond simple command execution, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including data exfiltration, system compromise, and privilege escalation. When exploited, this vulnerability allows attackers to inject commands that could potentially access sensitive files, establish backdoors, or manipulate the git repository in ways that could affect the integrity of source code and development workflows. The vulnerability affects developers and systems that rely on automated git operations, making it particularly dangerous in continuous integration environments where git-pull-or-clone might be used in automated build processes. The attack surface is broadened by the fact that this vulnerability can be triggered through various means of input manipulation, including configuration files, environment variables, or direct user input during git operations. This makes the vulnerability particularly insidious as it can be exploited both in controlled environments and through less obvious attack vectors. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001, which covers command and scripting interpreter execution, and T1021.004, which addresses remote services and network protocols, as the command injection occurs through the git protocol implementation.
The recommended mitigation for CVE-2022-24437 involves upgrading to version 2.0.2 or later of the git-pull-or-clone package, which includes proper input sanitization and validation mechanisms for the outpath parameter. Organizations should also implement input validation at multiple layers, ensuring that all user-supplied parameters passed to git operations are properly escaped or sanitized before being incorporated into command-line arguments. Additional defensive measures include implementing proper access controls for git operations, monitoring for suspicious command execution patterns, and conducting regular security audits of automated build and deployment processes. The vulnerability highlights the importance of not relying solely on secure API functions but ensuring comprehensive input validation and sanitization across all data flows. System administrators should also consider implementing network-based protections such as firewall rules that restrict git protocol access to trusted networks and implement proper logging of git operations to detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations using this package in automated environments should conduct immediate vulnerability assessments and ensure that all instances of the affected software are updated to prevent exploitation. The remediation process should also include reviewing and updating any custom scripts or automation workflows that might be using the vulnerable package to ensure they are not inadvertently exposing the system to command injection attacks through improper parameter handling.