GNU Patch up to 2.7.6 Patch File Shell Metacharacter os command injection

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability marked as critical has been reported in GNU Patch up to 2.7.6. The impacted element is an unknown function of the component Patch File Handler. Performing a manipulation as part of Shell Metacharacter results in os command injection. This vulnerability is cataloged as CVE-2019-13638. The attack must be initiated from a local position. There is no exploit available.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in GNU Patch up to 2.7.6. It has been classified as critical. This affects an unknown code of the component Patch File Handler. The manipulation as part of a Shell Metacharacter leads to a os command injection vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-78. The product constructs all or part of an OS command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended OS command when it is sent to a downstream component. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

GNU patch through 2.7.6 is vulnerable to OS shell command injection that can be exploited by opening a crafted patch file that contains an ed style diff payload with shell metacharacters. The ed editor does not need to be present on the vulnerable system. This is different from CVE-2018-1000156.

The weakness was shared 07/26/2019 (Website). The advisory is shared at seclists.org. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2019-13638 since 07/17/2019. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. No form of authentication is needed for exploitation. It demands that the victim is doing some kind of user interaction. Neither technical details nor an exploit are publicly available. MITRE ATT&CK project uses the attack technique T1202 for this issue.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 242710 (NewStart CGSL MAIN 7.02 : patch Multiple Vulnerabilities (NS-SA-2025-0205)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

There is no information about possible countermeasures known. It may be suggested to replace the affected object with an alternative product.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at Tenable (242710). The entry VDB-138263 is related to this item. Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Vendor

• GNU

Name

• Patch

Version

• 2.7.0
• 2.7.1
• 2.7.2
• 2.7.3
• 2.7.4
• 2.7.5
• 2.7.6

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.gnu.org/

CPE 2.3info

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CPE 2.2info

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Entryinfo

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

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