CVE-2023-4759

Improper handling of case insensitive filesystems in Eclipse JGit allows arbitrary file write

Description

Arbitrary File Overwrite in Eclipse JGit <= 6.6.0 In Eclipse JGit, all versions <= 6.6.0.202305301015-r, a symbolic link present in a specially crafted git repository can be used to write a file to locations outside the working tree when this repository is cloned with JGit to a case-insensitive filesystem, or when a checkout from a clone of such a repository is performed on a case-insensitive filesystem. This can happen on checkout (DirCacheCheckout), merge (ResolveMerger via its WorkingTreeUpdater), pull (PullCommand using merge), and when applying a patch (PatchApplier). This can be exploited for remote code execution (RCE), for instance if the file written outside the working tree is a git filter that gets executed on a subsequent git command. The issue occurs only on case-insensitive filesystems, like the default filesystems on Windows and macOS. The user performing the clone or checkout must have the rights to create symbolic links for the problem to occur, and symbolic links must be enabled in the git configuration. Setting git configuration option core.symlinks = false before checking out avoids the problem. The issue was fixed in Eclipse JGit version 6.6.1.202309021850-r and 6.7.0.202309050840-r, available via Maven Central https://repo1.maven.org/maven2/org/eclipse/jgit/  and repo.eclipse.org https://repo.eclipse.org/content/repositories/jgit-releases/ . A backport is available in 5.13.3 starting from 5.13.3.202401111512-r. The JGit maintainers would like to thank RyotaK for finding and reporting this issue.

Remediation

Workaround:

  • Setting git configuration option core.symlinks = false before checking out avoids the problem.

Category

8.8
CVSS
Severity: High
CVSS 3.1 •
EPSS 1.21% Top 25%
Vendor Advisory eclipse.org Vendor Advisory eclipse.org Vendor Advisory eclipse.org
Affected: Eclipse Foundation Eclipse JGit
Published at:
Updated at:

References

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the severity of CVE-2023-4759?
CVE-2023-4759 has been scored as a high severity vulnerability.
How to fix CVE-2023-4759?
As a workaround for remediating CVE-2023-4759: Setting git configuration option core.symlinks = false before checking out avoids the problem.
Is CVE-2023-4759 being actively exploited in the wild?
It is possible that CVE-2023-4759 is being exploited or will be exploited in a near future based on public information. According to its EPSS score, there is a ~1% probability that this vulnerability will be exploited by malicious actors in the next 30 days.
What software or system is affected by CVE-2023-4759?
CVE-2023-4759 affects Eclipse Foundation Eclipse JGit.
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