CVE-2023-22490 : What You Need to Know

This CVE-2023-22490 article provides insights into a vulnerability in Git that allows local clone-based data exfiltration with non-local transports.

Understanding CVE-2023-22490

This section delves into the details of CVE-2023-22490, shedding light on what the vulnerability entails and its potential impact.

What is CVE-2023-22490?

CVE-2023-22490 identifies a flaw in Git, a revision control system, where versions before 2.39.2 are susceptible to a specially-crafted repository exploit. This vulnerability enables the misuse of local clone optimization with non-local transports, allowing for data exfiltration.

The Impact of CVE-2023-22490

The impact of CVE-2023-22490 is significant, as it permits threat actors to leverage symbolic links within the

objects

directory to access arbitrary files from the victim's system. This could result in unauthorized data extraction similar to past CVE incidents.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-22490

This section provides a deeper dive into the technical aspects of the CVE-2023-22490 vulnerability, including its description, affected systems, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Git versions before 2.39.2 allows malicious repositories to exploit symbolic links within the

objects

directory, facilitating unauthorized access to victim's files and potential data exfiltration.

Affected Systems and Versions

Git versions affected by CVE-2023-22490 include 2.39.0, 2.38.0, 2.37.0, 2.36.0, 2.35.0, 2.34.0, 2.33.0, 2.32.0, 2.31.0, and earlier, up to but not including 2.30.8.

Exploitation Mechanism

Threat actors can exploit this vulnerability by incorporating symbolic links within the

objects

directory of a malicious repository, tricking Git into using local clone optimization even with non-local transports, thereby enabling data exfiltration.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section focuses on measures to mitigate the risks posed by CVE-2023-22490 and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

To address CVE-2023-22490, users are advised to update Git to versions 2.39.2, 2.38.4, 2.37.6, 2.36.5, 2.35.7, 2.34.7, 2.33.7, 2.32.6, 2.31.7, or adopt short-term workarounds. Avoid cloning repositories from untrusted sources with

--recurse-submodules

and inspect new

.gitmodules

files for suspicious module URLs.

Long-Term Security Practices

In the long term, maintain vigilance when interacting with Git repositories, prioritize secure coding practices, and regularly update software to mitigate the risk of similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

It is crucial to apply available patches promptly and keep Git installations up to date to prevent exploitation of CVE-2023-22490 and ensure system security.