How severe is CVE-2026-78678?

No CVSS score has been assigned to CVE-2026-78678 yet. Review the advisory details and affected package list to assess your exposure.

Which packages are affected by CVE-2026-78678?

CVE-2026-78678 affects the following packages: gitpython (PyPI). Ecosystems affected: PyPI.

How do I fix CVE-2026-78678?

Update gitpython to 3.1.59 or later, then make sure no transitive (indirect) dependency still pins the vulnerable range — O3 confirms CVE-2026-78678 is resolved across your whole dependency graph.

How do I detect CVE-2026-78678 in my PyPI dependencies?

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.

How do I mitigate CVE-2026-78678 if there is no patch (or I can't update yet)?

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.

Is CVE-2026-78678 actively exploited in the wild?

No public exploit code has been indexed for CVE-2026-78678 yet. This does not mean the vulnerability cannot be exploited — absence of public exploits does not imply safety. Apply the recommended fix and use O3 Security to monitor your exposure.

What is the EPSS score for CVE-2026-78678?

CVE-2026-78678 has an EPSS (Exploit Prediction Scoring System) score of 0.4%, placing it in the 33th percentile of all CVEs. EPSS is maintained by FIRST.org and estimates the probability that a vulnerability will be exploited in the wild within the next 30 days. This score indicates relatively lower exploitation probability, though the CVSS severity should still guide your patching priority.

What type of vulnerability is CVE-2026-78678?

CVE-2026-78678 is classified as CWE-88 (CWE-88). This weakness type describe the underlying flaw category, which helps determine the potential impact and the right class of mitigation.

When was CVE-2026-78678 published, and has it been updated?

CVE-2026-78678 was published on August 25, 2026 and was last updated on September 25, 2026. Advisory data evolves as severity scores, affected ranges, and exploit intelligence are revised — always check the latest version of the advisory before acting.

🐍 PyPI

Not in CISA KEV

CVE-2026-78678 — gitpython

CVE-2026-78678 is a CWE-88 vulnerability in gitpython. A fix is available for gitpython — see the affected versions and patch details below.

GitPython before 3.1.59 Arbitrary File Read via Repo.blame()

Also known asGHSA-5xxx-qhh7-9287PYSEC-2026-3788

Published

Aug 25, 2026

Updated

Sep 25, 2026

Affected

1 pkg

Patched

1 / 1

Exploits

None indexed

Exploitation data as of Oct 7, 2026 · OSV.dev, NVD, FIRST.org (EPSS)

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.

Exploitation and automatability from CISA’s SSVC triage for CVE-2026-78678.

EPSS Exploitation Probability

via FIRST.org ↗

0.4%probability of exploitation in next 30 days

Lower Risk0.00%

Lower risk than most CVEs33th percentile — riskier than 33% of all scored CVEsHighest risk

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days, from FIRST.org EPSS.

Real-World Exposure

1 pkg affected

🐍gitpython

Real-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

Repo.blame() / Repo.blame_incremental() guard forwarded revision options against unsafe_git_revision_options, but that denylist only contains the file-WRITE options --output/-o. git blame also honors --contents <file> and -S <file>, which cause the file's lines to be echoed into the blame result — an arbitrary file READ. Neither option is in the denylist, so a caller-influenced revision value of --contents=<path> passes the guard and leaks file contents. This is a distinct sink-option and impact class (READ) from GHSA-956x-8gvw-wg5v (which addressed the blame --output WRITE), directly analogous to GHSA-539m-9xh6-q6rr (archive READ gap accepted separately from the archive write/exec advisory).

Root Cause

unsafe_git_revision_options = ["--output","-o"] (git/repo/base.py:188). The rev string is passed to _option_candidates([rev], kwargs) and placed BEFORE the -- separator (base.py:841). The canonical name of --contents=... is contents, which is not on the denylist, so no UnsafeOptionError is raised. The trailing -- protects only the pathspec, not the option before the revision.

Impact

Arbitrary local file read at the privileges of the host process; the file's line contents appear in the blame result returned to the caller. Pure VALUE control (the caller forwards a user-influenced revision string). Default allow_unsafe_options=False.

Proof of Concept

result = repo.blame("--contents=/etc/passwd", "a.txt")
# result rows carry the victim file's line text

Attack Chain

Entry: app calls repo.blame(rev, file) with attacker rev="--contents=/etc/passwd" (or kwarg contents="/etc/passwd", or -S).
Check: Git.check_unsafe_options(_option_candidates([rev,...], kwargs), unsafe_git_revision_options) @ base.py:841. Guard: denylist = ["--output","-o"] only. Bypass proof: canonical name contents ∉ denylist → no error.
Sink: self.git.blame(rev, "--", file, p=True, ...). argv (observed): ['git','blame','-p','--contents=<secret>','HEAD','--','a.txt'].
Impact: blame result rows carry the victim file's line text.

Bypass Evidence

Independently reproduced (independent test harness, default allow_unsafe_options=False): blame('--contents=<secret>','a.txt') → guard PASSED; result rows = ['GATE_SECRET_LINE_A','GATE_SECRET_LINE_B']. Control: blame('--output=…') still BLOCKED (guard active on this path). -S kwarg argv also reaches git unguarded.

Affected Versions

GitPython <= 3.1.58 (denylist present verbatim on the latest release tag).

Suggested Fix

Prefer an allowlist of blame options; at minimum add --contents/-S (and any other path-taking blame options) to unsafe_git_revision_options, and make the membership rule "the option takes a filesystem path" rather than "the option writes output".

Reported by zx (Jace) — GitHub: @manus-use

Affected Packages

1 total 1 fixed

Ecosystem	Package	Vulnerable range	Fix
🐍PyPI	`gitpython`	all versions	3.1.59`pip install --upgrade 'gitpython==3.1.59'`

Affected Products

1 product · 1 configurations

Application

gitpythongitpython_project

< 3.1.59

range

Detection & mitigation playbook

Open-source dependency

Detect
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 3.1.59 or later, then make sure no transitive (indirect) dependency still pins the vulnerable range — O3 confirms CVE-2026-78678 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.

Fixing This On Your OS

If you run this on a Linux distribution, patch through your package manager against the distro's own security advisory below — it tracks the exact backported fix for your release, which can ship on a different timeline (and sometimes a different severity) than the upstream project.

Red HatModerate

A flaw was found in GitPython. An incomplete denylist in the unsafe_git_revision_options guard omits --contents and -S options, allowing attackers who control the revision parameter passed to Repo.blame() or Repo.blame_incremental() to read arbitrary files on the system. The attacker can supply revision values like…

Workaround published by Red Hat

Mitigation for this issue is either not available or the currently available options do not meet the Red Hat Product Security criteria comprising ease of use and deployment, applicability to widespread installation base, or stability.

Source: Red Hat security advisory for CVE-2026-78678 (CC BY 4.0)

Frequently Asked Questions

## Summary `Repo.blame()` / `Repo.blame_incremental()` guard forwarded revision options against `unsafe_git_revision_options`, but that denylist only contains the file-WRITE options `--output`/`-o`. `git blame` also honors `--contents <file>` and `-S <file>`, which cause the file's lines to be echoed into the blame result — an arbitrary file READ. Neither option is in the denylist, so a caller-influenced revision value of `--contents=<path>` passes the guard and leaks file contents. This is a distinct sink-option and impact class (READ) from GHSA-956x-8gvw-wg5v (which addressed the blame `--ou

O3 Security · Impact-Aware SCA

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