CVE-2021-29468
CVE-2021-29468 is a high-severity vulnerability in Cygwin Git with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8. 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-20.
Key facts
- Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.8)
- CVSS v2: 6.8
- EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (66th percentile)
- Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
- Weakness: CWE-20
- Affected product: Cygwin Git
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
Cygwin Git is a patch set for the git command line tool for the cygwin environment. A specially crafted repository that contains symbolic links as well as files with backslash characters in the file name may cause just-checked out code to be executed while checking out a repository using Git on Cygwin. The problem will be patched in the Cygwin Git v2.31.1-2 release. At time of writing, the vulnerability is present in the upstream Git source code; any Cygwin user who compiles Git for themselves from upstream sources should manually apply a patch to mitigate the vulnerability. As mitigation users should not clone or pull from repositories from untrusted sources. CVE-2019-1354 was an equivalent vulnerability in Git for Visual Studio.
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2021-29468?
- Cygwin Git is a patch set for the git command line tool for the cygwin environment. A specially crafted repository that contains symbolic links as well as files with backslash characters in the file name may cause just-checked out code to be executed while checking out a repository using Git on Cygwin. The problem will be patched in the Cygwin Git v2.31.1-2 release. At time of writing, the vulnerability is present in the upstream Git source code; any Cygwin user who compiles Git for themselves from upstream sources should manually apply a patch to mitigate the vulnerability. As mitigation users should not clone or pull from repositories from untrusted sources. CVE-2019-1354 was an equivalent vulnerability in Git for Visual Studio.
- How severe is CVE-2021-29468?
- CVE-2021-29468 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
- Is CVE-2021-29468 being actively exploited?
- It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (66th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- What products are affected by CVE-2021-29468?
- CVE-2021-29468 affects Cygwin Git. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2021-29468?
- 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-2021-29468 published?
- CVE-2021-29468 was published on 2021-04-29 and last updated on 2026-06-17.
References
- https://cygwin.com/pipermail/cygwin-announce/2021-April/010018.html
- https://github.com/me-and/Cygwin-Git/blob/main/check-backslash-safety.patch
- https://github.com/me-and/Cygwin-Git/security/advisories/GHSA-rmp3-wq55-f557
- https://lore.kernel.org/git/CA+kUOa=juEdBMVr_gyTKjz7PkPt2DZHkXQyzcQmAWCsEHC_ssw%40mail.gmail.com/T/#u
Affected products (1)
- cpe:2.3:a:cygwin:git:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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