Environment Variable Exfiltration in GitPython via Repo.clone_from

Executive Summary

GitPython before version 3.1.52 is vulnerable to environment variable exfiltration through the Repo.clone_from() function. When cloning a repository, the remote URL is processed by Git.polish_url(), which on non-Cygwin systems expands environment variables in the URL using os.path.expandvars(). An attacker can embed tokens like $NAME or ${NAME} in the URL, which get replaced with sensitive environment variable values (e.g., AWS_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY). These secrets are then sent to the attacker-controlled host during the clone attempt.

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Detection Guidance

Check for GitPython versions before 3.1.52. Inspect network traffic for unusual clone URLs containing environment variables like $AWS_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY or $GITHUB_TOKEN. Review logs for git clone commands with suspicious URLs.

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Impact Analysis

This vulnerability allows attackers to steal sensitive environment variables if they control the clone URL. Secrets like API keys, tokens, or credentials could be exposed, leading to unauthorized access, data breaches, or further attacks on systems using those secrets.

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Compliance Impact

This vulnerability could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive data, violating GDPR (data protection) and HIPAA (health information privacy) requirements. Organizations may face fines or penalties for failing to protect personal or health data due to such breaches.

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Mitigation Strategies

Upgrade GitPython to version 3.1.52 or later. Avoid passing untrusted URLs to Repo.clone_from(). Use environment variable sanitization or disable URL expansion in git operations.

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