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CVE-2025-48384 is a critical security vulnerability discovered in the Git version control system that affects multiple non-Windows client installations across various versions.
The flaw specifically arises during the processing of configuration values and submodule paths within repository files such as .gitmodules.
When an attacker crafts a malicious repository containing specially formatted submodule configurations with trailing carriage return characters, Git’s parser handles them improperly.
Specifically, the parser strips the carriage return characters when reading configuration entries but preserves them during write operations.
This discrepancy enables the redirection of submodule content paths onto arbitrary locations across the local filesystem.
When combined with symbolic links or specific directory traversal layouts, a victim cloning or updating the repository triggers this behavior.
Consequently, malicious files or scripts can be written to sensitive directories outside the intended repository bounds.
If an attacker successfully targets local execution directories, they can overwrite existing files or create executable hooks.
Subcommands such as git commit, git clone, or `git merge` will subsequently execute these malicious scripts automatically.
This chain reaction ultimately leads to arbitrary remote code execution within the context of the user running the Git commands.
The vulnerability highlights the risks associated with parsing untrusted repository metadata and handling complex submodule hierarchies.
Developers and CI/CD pipelines utilizing automated recursive cloning face elevated risks of silent workspace compromise.
Mitigation requires immediate upgrading to patched Git releases or disabling recursive submodule operations on untrusted codebases.
DailyCVE Form:
Platform: Git CLI
Version: Prior to 2.43.7
Vulnerability: Arbitrary File Write
Severity: High Severity
date: July 8, 2025
Prediction: Patched on release
What Undercode Say:
Analysis reveals that metadata parsing flaws in version control clients allow subtle path manipulation. Attackers leverage carriage return stripping inconsistencies to escape standard repository boundaries. Below are the diagnostic bash commands used to inspect repository configurations and submodule definitions for suspicious trailing characters:
git config --get-regexp submodule git submodule status grep -r "path =" .gitmodules
These commands verify whether submodules contain irregular path parameters or encoded carriage returns designed to trigger filesystem redirection during recursive operations.
Exploit: (Educational Purposes!)
To demonstrate the mechanics of CVE-2025-48384 without causing actual harm, security researchers construct controlled proof-of-concept repositories. A malicious `.gitmodules` entry is initialized with a path parameter containing carriage return characters combined with symlink targets. When a vulnerable client executes git clone --recursive, the parser interprets the modified path, allowing the payload file to traverse and write outside the working directory tree.
Protection: from this CVE
Defending against this vulnerability requires immediate software upgrades across all development workstations and automated CI/CD servers. Upgrade Git client installations to version 2.43.7, 2.44.4, 2.45.4, 2.46.4, 2.47.3, 2.48.2, 2.49.1, 2.50.1, or later. Additionally, avoid running `git clone –recursive` against untrusted repositories. Organizations should audit developer endpoints and monitor Git activity for anomalous submodule configurations.
Impact:
Successful exploitation grants attackers the ability to write arbitrary files to the victim’s filesystem. In developer environments and CI/CD build servers, this leads directly to remote code execution. Attackers can execute malicious Git hooks during routine commit or merge operations, resulting in complete workstation takeover, source code exfiltration, and persistent stealthy access.
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Sources:
Reported By: github.com
Extra Source Hub:
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