Gitea up to 28.3.x Protected file patterns privileges management

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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Current Exploit Price (≈)
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CTI Interest Score
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5.2$0-$5k0.00+

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as problematic was found in Gitea up to 28.3.x. This impacts an unknown function of the component Protected file patterns. The manipulation results in privileges management. This vulnerability is identified as CVE-2026-123638. The attack can be executed remotely. There is not any exploit available. Upgrading the affected component is advised.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, was found in Gitea up to 28.3.x. Affected is an unknown function of the component Protected file patterns. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a privileges management vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-269. The product does not properly assign, modify, track, or check privileges for an actor, creating an unintended sphere of control for that actor. This is going to have an impact on integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

The "Protected file patterns" setting of a branch protection rule was checked against file names as git prints them, and git quotes names that contain a double quote, a backslash or a control character. Such names never matched a pattern, so a user with write access could add or change files under a protected pattern by direct push or through a pull request merge, and could move a protected file out of the pattern's reach by renaming it. Where the patterns protect workflow files, this allowed adding a workflow that then ran on the repository's runners. Changed files are now listed unquoted, and a rename reports both the old and the new path.

The advisory is shared for download at github.com. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2026-123638 since 11/15/2026. The exploitability is told to be easy. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. There are neither technical details nor an exploit publicly available. The MITRE ATT&CK project declares the attack technique as T1068.

Upgrading to version 28.4.0 eliminates this vulnerability.

Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Name

Version

License

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.4
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.2

VulDB Base Score: 5.4
VulDB Temp Score: 5.2
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Privileges management
CWE: CWE-269 / CWE-266
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined
Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Gitea 28.4.0

Timelineinfo

11/15/2026 Advisory disclosed
11/15/2026 +0 days CVE reserved
11/15/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
11/15/2026 +0 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Advisory: github.com
Status: Confirmed

CNA: Gitea
CVE: CVE-2026-123638 (🔒)

GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-123638
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-437556

Entryinfo

Created: 11/15/2026 22:47
Changes: 11/15/2026 22:47 (54)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

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