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gix-transport code execution vulnerability

Moderate severity GitHub Reviewed Published Sep 25, 2023 to the GitHub Advisory Database • Updated Jul 28, 2025

Package

cargo gix-transport (Rust)

Affected versions

< 0.36.1

Patched versions

0.36.1

Description

The gix-transport crate prior to the patched version 0.36.1 would allow attackers to use malicious ssh clone URLs to pass arbitrary arguments to the ssh program, leading to arbitrary code execution.

PoC: gix clone 'ssh://-oProxyCommand=open$IFS-aCalculator/foo'

This will launch a calculator on OSX.

See https://secure.phabricator.com/T12961 for more details on similar vulnerabilities in git.

Thanks for vin01 for disclosing this issue.

References

Published to the GitHub Advisory Database Sep 25, 2023
Reviewed Sep 25, 2023
Last updated Jul 28, 2025

Severity

Moderate

CVSS overall score

This score calculates overall vulnerability severity from 0 to 10 and is based on the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS).
/ 10

CVSS v3 base metrics

Attack vector
Local
Attack complexity
High
Privileges required
None
User interaction
Required
Scope
Changed
Confidentiality
Low
Integrity
Low
Availability
None

CVSS v3 base metrics

Attack vector: More severe the more the remote (logically and physically) an attacker can be in order to exploit the vulnerability.
Attack complexity: More severe for the least complex attacks.
Privileges required: More severe if no privileges are required.
User interaction: More severe when no user interaction is required.
Scope: More severe when a scope change occurs, e.g. one vulnerable component impacts resources in components beyond its security scope.
Confidentiality: More severe when loss of data confidentiality is highest, measuring the level of data access available to an unauthorized user.
Integrity: More severe when loss of data integrity is the highest, measuring the consequence of data modification possible by an unauthorized user.
Availability: More severe when the loss of impacted component availability is highest.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N

EPSS score

Exploit Prediction Scoring System (EPSS)

This score estimates the probability of this vulnerability being exploited within the next 30 days. Data provided by FIRST.
(3rd percentile)

Weaknesses

Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')

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 when it is sent to a downstream component. Learn more on MITRE.

Improper Neutralization of Argument Delimiters in a Command ('Argument Injection')

The product constructs a string for a command to executed by a separate component in another control sphere, but it does not properly delimit the intended arguments, options, or switches within that command string. Learn more on MITRE.

CVE ID

CVE-2023-53158

GHSA ID

GHSA-rrjw-j4m2-mf34

Source code

Credits

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