CVE-2024-35186 in gitoxide
Summary
by MITRE • 05/23/2024
gitoxide is a pure Rust implementation of Git. During checkout, `gix-worktree-state` does not verify that paths point to locations in the working tree. A specially crafted repository can, when cloned, place new files anywhere writable by the application. This vulnerability leads to a major loss of confidentiality, integrity, and availability, but creating files outside a working tree without attempting to execute code can directly impact integrity as well. This vulnerability has been patched in version(s) 0.36.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/28/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-35186 affects gitoxide, a pure Rust implementation of the Git version control system. This flaw resides within the gix-worktree-state component during the checkout process, where the system fails to properly validate file paths against the working tree boundaries. The issue stems from inadequate input sanitization and path validation mechanisms that allow maliciously crafted repositories to bypass normal file placement restrictions. When a vulnerable repository is cloned, the system permits the creation of new files in locations accessible to the application, effectively breaking the isolation that should exist between the repository contents and the broader filesystem.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal attacks. The flaw represents a directory traversal vulnerability where the system does not adequately verify that file paths remain within the designated working tree directory. This allows an attacker to manipulate the checkout process to write files to arbitrary locations on the filesystem where the application has write permissions. The vulnerability operates at the filesystem interaction level, where the gitoxide library fails to enforce proper boundary checks during file creation operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and encompasses all three pillars of the CIA triad. Confidentiality is compromised as malicious repositories can potentially create files in sensitive locations where they might contain sensitive information or serve as persistence mechanisms. Integrity suffers significantly since the vulnerability allows unauthorized file creation in locations that should remain protected, potentially enabling attackers to modify system files, configuration data, or application resources. Availability is also at risk as the system may become unstable if critical system files are overwritten or corrupted during the checkout process. The vulnerability particularly impacts environments where gitoxide is used to process untrusted repositories, such as continuous integration systems, code review platforms, or any application that automatically clones external repositories.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate upgrading to version 0.36.0 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the path validation issue. Organizations should also implement additional safeguards such as running gitoxide operations with minimal privileges, employing sandboxing techniques, and validating repository sources before cloning. The patch likely introduces proper path validation checks that ensure all file operations remain within the designated working tree boundaries, preventing the creation of files outside the intended directory structure. Security teams should monitor for any potential exploitation attempts and implement network-level controls to prevent access to potentially malicious repositories. This vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and boundary checking in filesystem operations, particularly in security-sensitive applications that handle untrusted data.