CVE-2023-23618 gitk can inadvertently call executables in the worktree

High 8.6 Published Updated

Git for Windows gitk tool may execute malicious binaries from the current directory, allowing attackers to run arbitrary code via social engineering.

Exploited in the wild
Not known
Login needed
Not needed
Attackable
Local or same network only
Victim action needed
A user has to click or open something
Fix
None listed

What is CVE-2023-23618?

CVE-2023-23618 is a high-severity code injection vulnerability in git-for-windows git, published on 14 Feb 2023. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

Official description

Git for Windows is the Windows port of the revision control system Git. Prior to Git for Windows version 2.39.2, when `gitk` is run on Windows, it potentially runs executables from the current directory inadvertently, which can be exploited with some social engineering to trick users into running untrusted code. A patch is available in version 2.39.2. As a workaround, avoid using `gitk` (or Git GUI's "Visualize History" functionality) in clones of untrusted repositories.

Weakness: CWE-426

Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-23618?

It affects 1 product.

Products include Git for Windows Project Git for Windows.

How do I fix CVE-2023-23618?

No fix has been published for CVE-2023-23618 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

Upgrade, and never evaluate templates, expressions or code built from user input. More about Code injection.

Is CVE-2023-23618 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-23618 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Sources

Also known as GHSA-wxwv-49qw-35pm.

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