CVE-2025-41390 in TruffleHog
Summary
by MITRE • 10/20/2025
An arbitrary code execution vulnerability exists in the git functionality of Truffle Security Co. TruffleHog 3.90.2. A specially crafted repository can lead to a arbitrary code execution. An attacker can provide a malicious respository to trigger this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/20/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-41390 represents a critical arbitrary code execution flaw within TruffleHog version 3.90.2, a security tool designed to detect hardcoded secrets in git repositories. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the git repository processing functionality of TruffleHog, creating a dangerous attack surface where malicious actors can craft specially formatted repositories to execute arbitrary code on systems running the affected software. The flaw specifically manifests when TruffleHog processes git repositories containing crafted malicious content, potentially allowing remote code execution with the privileges of the user running the tool.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper handling of git repository metadata and content during the scanning process. When TruffleHog encounters a repository with maliciously constructed git objects or hooks, the tool fails to properly validate or sanitize these inputs before processing them. This weakness aligns with CWE-74, which describes improper neutralization of special elements in output used by a downstream component, and CWE-94, which addresses the execution of arbitrary code due to insufficient input validation. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of software supply chain security and code execution, where the legitimate security tool becomes a vector for malicious code delivery.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of organizations relying on TruffleHog for secret detection. An attacker who gains access to a system running the vulnerable version could leverage this flaw to execute malicious payloads, escalate privileges, or establish persistent access to the environment. The attack vector requires only the provision of a malicious repository, making it particularly dangerous in automated security workflows where repositories are automatically scanned. This vulnerability affects the principle of least privilege, as the tool's legitimate function of scanning repositories becomes a mechanism for unauthorized code execution, potentially compromising the integrity of the entire security infrastructure.
Organizations should immediately update to the latest version of TruffleHog where this vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and sanitization of git repository content. The mitigation strategy involves implementing strict repository access controls and validating all repositories before scanning, while also monitoring for unauthorized repository additions to the scanning pipeline. Security teams should consider implementing network segmentation and runtime protection mechanisms to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. This vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices in security tools themselves, as the tools designed to protect against security threats can themselves become attack vectors when not properly secured against malicious input. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.001 for command and script injection, emphasizing the need for input validation and proper sandboxing of security tool operations to prevent such exploitation scenarios.