GitPython blind local file inclusion

Exploitation

No confirmed exploitation recorded. Patch Next marks exploitation only from CISA KEV.

CVSS 4.0

6.9 · CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:L/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N · score source

EPSS

• CVE-2023-41040: 1.09% estimated exploitation activity in the next 30 days; percentile 65.48 (FIRST EPSS, 2026-11-03). This is a model estimate, not proof of exploitation or customer exposure.

As published by the source; long descriptions are shortened.

Summary In order to resolve some git references, GitPython reads files from the .git directory, in some places the name of the file being read is provided by the user, GitPython doesn't check if this file is located outside the .git directory. This allows an attacker to make GitPython read any file from the system. Details This vulnerability is present in https://github.com/gitpython-developers/GitPython/blob/1c8310d7cae144f74a671cbe17e51f63a830adbf/git/refs/symbolic.py#L174-L175 That code joins the base directory with a user given string without checking if the final path is located outside the base directory. I was able to exploit it from three places, but there may be more code paths that lead to it: https://github.com/gitpython-developers/GitPython/blob/1c8310d7cae144f74a671cbe17e51f63a830adbf/git/repo/base.py#L605 https://github.com/gitpython-developers/GitPython/blob/1c8310d7cae144f74a671cbe17e51f63a830adbf/git/repo/base.py#L620…

Published by the source

30 Aug 2023, 20:09 UTC

Last modified by the source

4 Nov 2025, 16:49 UTC

Source last checked

26 Oct 2026, 13:35 UTC

1. Revision 3 · amended · 26 Oct 2026

   Amended from ghsa record GHSA-cwvm-v4w8-q58c

2. Revision 2 · amended · 24 Oct 2026

   Reviewed OSV alias/range/CVSS4 correction; package source scopes and original publication preserved. No customer finding resolved.

3. Revision 1 · created · 24 Oct 2026

   Published from osv record GHSA-cwvm-v4w8-q58c

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# Patch Next advisory brief: CVE-2023-41040

Advisory: GitPython blind local file inclusion
IDs: CVE-2023-41040, GHSA-cwvm-v4w8-q58c
Record: https://patchnext.com/advisories/cve-2023-41040 (revision 3, source checked 26 Oct 2026, 13:35 UTC)
Inventory: none attached. This brief comes from a public page and does not say whether any deployment is affected.
Severity: Medium (CVSS 6.9)
Exploitation: no confirmed exploitation recorded. Patch Next confirms exploitation only from CISA KEV.
Vendor response: Vendor fix available; fixed versions by package: gitpython 3.1.37. A vendor fix does not mean a deployment is fixed.

## Affected components
- PyPI gitpython: affected < 3.1.37; fixed in 3.1.37

## Suggested inspection (read-only)
- `python -m pip show gitpython`: prints the installed version. Run with the environment that serves production active.

## Supported action
Upgrade each affected component to a fixed version on its release line. For a transitive dependency, upgrade the parent package or add an override or constraint, then regenerate the lockfile. Redeploy every environment that ran an affected version.

## Required regression checks
- Run the test suite and a production build.
- Exercise the features that depend on gitpython.
- Repeat the inspection and confirm that only fixed versions remain installed.

## Rollback considerations
- Keep the previous lockfile and deployment artifact. Rolling back reinstates the vulnerable version, so apply any documented mitigation while you fix forward.

## Unresolved questions
- Which deployments run an affected version?
- Exploitation status can change. Check again before lowering the priority.
- Mark the work resolved only after the fixed version is verified in production.

## Sources
- Verified: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/GHSA-cwvm-v4w8-q58c (OSV record GHSA-cwvm-v4w8-q58c lists affected ranges: PyPI gitpython >=0 <3.1.37 (fixed))
- Verified: https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-cwvm-v4w8-q58c (GitHub-reviewed advisory GHSA-cwvm-v4w8-q58c lists affected ranges: PyPI gitpython >=0 <3.1.37)

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