CVE-2023-40590 is a high-severity (CVSS 7.8) CWE-426 vulnerability in gitpython. 1 public exploit or proof-of-concept reference is indexed, so weaponization risk is real. A fix is available for gitpython — see the affected versions and patch details below.
Untrusted search path on Windows systems leading to arbitrary code execution
Exploitation Status
Proof-of-concept exploit code exists
- CISA’s SSVC triage found public proof-of-concept exploit code for this CVE, though no confirmed active exploitation.
- A successful exploit gives an attacker total control of the affected component, not partial access.
Exploitation and automatability from CISA’s SSVC triage for CVE-2023-40590.
EPSS Exploitation Probability
Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days, from FIRST.org EPSS.
How urgent is this, really
Where this sits among everything scored
Real-World Exposure
gitpythonReal-time download stats are indexed for npm and PyPI packages. This vulnerability affects PyPI packages — download data is not available via public APIs for these ecosystems.
Description
Summary
When resolving a program, Python/Windows look for the current working directory, and after that the PATH environment (see big warning in https://docs.python.org/3/library/subprocess.html#popen-constructor). GitPython defaults to use the git command, if a user runs GitPython from a repo has a git.exe or git executable, that program will be run instead of the one in the user's PATH.
Details
This is more of a problem on how Python interacts with Windows systems, Linux and any other OS aren't affected by this. But probably people using GitPython usually run it from the CWD of a repo.
The execution of the git command happens in
And there are other commands executed that should probably be aware of this problem.
PoC
On a Windows system, create a git.exe or git executable in any directory, and import or run GitPython from that directory
python -c "import git"
The git executable from the current directory will be run.
Impact
An attacker can trick a user to download a repository with a malicious git executable, if the user runs/imports GitPython from that directory, it allows the attacker to run any arbitrary commands.
Possible solutions
- Default to an absolute path for the git program on Windows, like
C:\\Program Files\\Git\\cmd\\git.EXE(default git path installation). - Require users to set the
GIT_PYTHON_GIT_EXECUTABLEenvironment variable on Windows systems. - Make this problem prominent in the documentation and advise users to never run GitPython from an untrusted repo, or set the
GIT_PYTHON_GIT_EXECUTABLEenv var to an absolute path. - Resolve the executable manually by only looking into the
PATHenvironment variable (suggested by @Byron)
[!NOTE] This vulnerability was reported via email, and it was decided to publish it here and make it public, so the community is aware of it, and a fix can be provided.
Affected Packages
| Ecosystem | Package | Vulnerable range | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🐍PyPI | gitpython | all versions | 3.1.33pip install --upgrade 'gitpython==3.1.33' |
Affected Products
gitpythongitpython_projectResearch use only. For defensive security, authorized penetration testing, and academic research only. Never execute exploit code against systems without explicit written authorization.
Detection & mitigation playbook
Open-source dependencyDetect
Scan your dependency tree (package-lock.json, pnpm-lock.yaml, requirements.txt, go.sum, etc.) for gitpython, including transitive dependencies — a direct dependency you never call can still pull in a vulnerable version.
Fix
Update gitpython to 3.1.33 or later, then make sure no transitive (indirect) dependency still pins the vulnerable range — O3 confirms CVE-2023-40590 is resolved across your whole dependency graph.
Workarounds
If you can't upgrade right away: gate or disable the affected feature, validate untrusted input at the boundary, and avoid passing attacker-controlled data into the vulnerable path. O3's runtime protection blocks exploitation in production as an interim safeguard until the upgrade lands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CVE-2023-40590 in your dependencies?
Find it across PyPI, including transitive dependencies.