# CVE-2015-8968: git-fastclone permits arbitrary shell command execution from .gitmodules

> Attackers can execute arbitrary shell commands via malicious .gitmodules files when users perform recursive clones or submodule updates.

- **Severity:** High 8.8 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 3 Nov 2016
- **Updated:** 6 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-8gg6-3r63-25m8

## What is CVE-2015-8968?

CVE-2015-8968 is a high-severity command injection vulnerability in git-fastclone ruby gem All versions before 1.0.1, published on 3 Nov 2016. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

git-fastclone before 1.0.1 permits arbitrary shell command execution from .gitmodules. If an attacker can instruct a user to run a recursive clone from a repository they control, they can get a client to run an arbitrary shell command. Alternately, if an attacker can MITM an unencrypted git clone, they could exploit this. The ext command will be run if the repository is recursively cloned or if submodules are updated. This attack works when cloning both local and remote repositories.

Weakness: CWE-77 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2015-8968?

2 open source packages ship an affected version, including git-fastclone. It affects 1 product.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `git-fastclone` | RubyGems | All versions | 1.0.1 |
| `git-fastclone` | RubyGems | All versions | 1.0.1 |

Products: Squareup Git-Fastclone.

## How do I fix CVE-2015-8968?

Upgrade git-fastclone to 1.0.1 or later.

## Is CVE-2015-8968 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2015-8968 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in git-fastclone ruby gem All versions before 1.0.1

- [CVE-2015-8969](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2015-8969/): Git-fastclone passes user modifiable strings directly to a shell command (critical 9.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2015-8968 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2015-8968 is a high-severity command injection vulnerability in git-fastclone ruby gem All versions before 1.0.1, published on 3 Nov 2016. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2015-8968 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- git-fastclone (RubyGems): affected all versions; fixed in 1.0.1
- git-fastclone (RubyGems): affected all versions; fixed in 1.0.1

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2015-8968/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2015-8968/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2015-8968
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2015-8968
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2015-8968

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2015-8968/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.