CVE-2008-5516

CVE-2008-5516 is a high-severity vulnerability in Git with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.5. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-78.

Key facts

• Severity: High (CVSS 2.0 base score 7.5)
• EPSS exploit prediction: 4% (90th percentile)
• Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
• Weakness: CWE-78
• Affected product: Git
• Published: 2009-01-20
• Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

The web interface in git (gitweb) 1.5.x before 1.5.5 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters related to git_search.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2008-5516?

The web interface in git (gitweb) 1.5.x before 1.5.5 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters related to git_search.

How severe is CVE-2008-5516?

CVE-2008-5516 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.5, rated high severity.

Is CVE-2008-5516 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 4% (90th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2008-5516?

CVE-2008-5516 primarily affects Git. In total, 116 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2008-5516?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2008-5516 published?

CVE-2008-5516 was published on 2009-01-20 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

• http://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=512330
• http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2009-01/msg00002.html
• http://repo.or.cz/w/git.git?a=commitdiff%3Bh=c582abae
• http://secunia.com/advisories/33964
• http://secunia.com/advisories/34194
• http://securityreason.com/securityalert/4919
• http://wiki.rpath.com/Advisories:rPSA-2009-0005
• http://www.debian.org/security/2009/dsa-1708
• http://www.gentoo.org/security/en/glsa/glsa-200903-15.xml
• http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2009/01/20/1
• http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2009/01/21/7
• http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2009/01/23/2
• http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/500008/100/0/threaded
• http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-723-1
• http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2009/0175
• https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=479715
• https://issues.rpath.com/browse/RPL-2936

Affected products (116)

• cpe:2.3:a:git:git:0.99.9j:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:git:git:0.99.9k:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:git:git:0.99.9l:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:git:git:0.99.9m:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:git:git:0.99.9n:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:git:git:1.0.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:git:git:1.0.0b:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:git:git:1.0.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:git:git:1.0.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:git:git:1.0.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:git:git:1.0.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:git:git:1.0.7:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:git:git:1.0.8:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:git:git:1.1.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:git:git:1.1.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:git:git:1.1.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:git:git:1.1.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:git:git:1.1.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:git:git:1.1.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:git:git:1.2.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:git:git:1.2.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:git:git:1.2.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:git:git:1.2.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:git:git:1.2.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:git:git:1.2.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:git:git:1.2.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:git:git:1.3.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:git:git:1.3.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:git:git:1.3.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:git:git:1.3.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:git:git:1.4.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:git:git:1.4.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:git:git:1.4.1.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:git:git:1.4.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:git:git:1.4.2.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:git:git:1.4.2.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:git:git:1.4.2.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:git:git:1.4.2.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:git:git:1.4.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:git:git:1.4.3.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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