git-js: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command
CVE-2026-28291 is a high-severity improper neutralization of special elements used in an OS command vulnerability in git-js from Steveukx, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.1 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected git-js versions: < 3.32.0. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.8% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 57% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update Simple-git to 3.32.0 or a later version.
- Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steveukx | git-js | < 3.32.0 | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Build of Keycloak | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat JBoss Enterprise Application Platform 8 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat JBoss Enterprise Application Platform Expansion Pack | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Process Automation 7 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Simple-git Project | Simple-git | before 3.32.0 | 3.32.0 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- HighSuccess depends on conditions outside the attacker's control.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (github.com).
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.1 | High | CNA (github.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.1 | High | CNA |
Official description
simple-git enables running native Git commands from JavaScript. Versions up to and including 3.31.1 allow execution of arbitrary commands through Git option manipulation, bypassing safety checks meant to block dangerous options like -u and --upload-pack. The flaw stems from an incomplete fix for CVE-2022-25860, as Git's flexible option parsing allows numerous character combinations (e.g., -vu, -4u, -nu) to circumvent the regular-expression-based blocklist in the unsafe operations plugin. Due to the virtually infinite number of valid option variants that Git accepts, a complete blocklist-based mitigation may be infeasible without fully emulating Git's option parsing behavior. This issue has been fixed in version 3.32.0.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command
The product constructs all or part of an OS command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended OS command before it is sent to a downstream component.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- If at all possible, use library calls rather than external processes to recreate the desired functionality.
- For any data that will be used to generate a command to be executed, keep as much of that data out of external control as possible. For example, in web applications, this may require storing the data locally in the session's state instead of sending it out to the client in a hidden form field.
- For any security checks that are performed on the client side, ensure that these checks are duplicated on the server side, in order to avoid CWE-602. Attackers can bypass the client-side checks by modifying values after the checks have been performed, or by changing the client to remove the client-side checks entirely. Then, these modified values would be submitted to the server.
More Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command vulnerabilities (CWE-78)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Patches and release notes
Third-party and government advisories
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2022-25860Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in git-js
- 9.2 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.1 High severity
Recent Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command vulnerabilities
- 7.2 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
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