isomorphic-git: Arbitrary file write outside the working tree via a directory symlink during checkout (potential RCE)
Summary
| CVE | CVE-2026-63395 |
|---|---|
| State | PUBLISHED |
| Assigner | GitHub_M |
| Source Priority | CVE Program / NVD first with legacy fallback |
| Published | 2026-11-03 20:18:14 UTC |
| Updated | 2026-11-03 22:19:47 UTC |
| Description | isomorphic-git is a pure JavaScript implementation of Git for Node.js and browsers. Prior to 1.38.6, isomorphic-git's git.checkout writes new child paths through symlinked leading directory components without checking them. A malicious repository can first place a directory symlink and later replace the tree state with a child file beneath that path; the usual trigger is a clone followed by a later pull, while a single clone can trigger the issue when a symlink already exists or the consuming application accesses the tree. With Node fs on Linux or macOS, the operating system can resolve the write outside the working tree, permitting arbitrary host file writes and possible code execution. Node fs on Windows usually blocks the symlink plant without additional privilege, and browser or in-memory providers limit impact to their virtual filesystem and are affected only when they implement symlink creation and following. This issue is fixed in version 1.38.6. |
Risk And Classification
Primary CVSS: v3.1 8.8 HIGH from [email protected]
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Problem Types: CWE-22 | CWE-59 | CWE-22 CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') | CWE-59 CWE-59: Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')
| Version | Source | Type | Score | Severity | Vector |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1 | [email protected] | Secondary | 8.8 | HIGH | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H |
| 3.1 | CNA | DECLARED | 8.8 | HIGH | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H |
CVSS v3.1 Breakdown
Attack Vector
NetworkAttack Complexity
LowPrivileges Required
NoneUser Interaction
RequiredScope
UnchangedConfidentiality
HighIntegrity
HighAvailability
HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Vendor Declared Affected Products
| Source | Vendor | Product | Version | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CNA | Isomorphic-git | Isomorphic-git | affected < 1.38.6 | Not specified |
References
| Reference | Source | Link | Tags |
|---|---|---|---|
| github.com/isomorphic-git/isomorphic-git/security/advisories/GHSA-9qw7-j... | 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0 | github.com | |
| github.com/isomorphic-git/isomorphic-git/pull/2370 | [email protected] | github.com | |
| github.com/isomorphic-git/isomorphic-git/releases/tag/v1.38.6 | [email protected] | github.com | |
| github.com/isomorphic-git/isomorphic-git/commit/823843d1cd19182df79bc907... | [email protected] | github.com | |
| CVE Program record | CVE.ORG | www.cve.org | canonical |
| NVD vulnerability detail | NVD | nvd.nist.gov | canonical, analysis |
No vendor comments have been submitted for this CVE.
There are currently no legacy QID mappings associated with this CVE.