GitPython: arbitrary file read via attacker-controlled branch name in (incomplete fix of CVE-2026-78679)

Are you affected?

Enter the version you run. The result uses only the ranges stored on this record.

The check returns affected, not affected, or incomplete. It does not guess a version that is missing from the record.

• Debian:12 python-git3.1.30-1, 3.1.30-1+deb12u2, 3.1.36-1
• Debian:13 python-git0 → 3.1.44-1+deb13u1
• Debian:14 python-git0 → 3.1.61-1
• pypi gitpythonversion unspecified

How to fix CVE-2026-78679

• Upgrade

  CVE-2026-78679 lists a fix boundary at 3.1.44-1+deb13u1. Compare the installed build with that boundary before you change production.

• Version check

  Fixed in 3.1.44-1+deb13u1 · 4 other ranges on the advisory

• Advisory

  Open the cve_org record and follow its fix.

• Official advisories

  • CVE.org · cve.org
  • GitLab Advisory Database · advisories.gitlab.com
  • Trivy Vulnerability DB · osv.dev

What to do

Three questions, each answered from this record only. Confirm the vendor advisory before you patch.

Technology hubs

Code

The project this record applies to. Exploit listings stay in References.

• gitpython · pypi.org

Timeline

Detection, updates, and resolution for this record.

1. Oct 27, 2026 · GitLab Advisory Database

   Detected

   Head.checkout() guards its **kwargs against unsafe Git options but never inspects its own positional argument — the branch name — which reaches the git checkout argv with no – separator. A repository whose default branch is named –pathspec-from-file=/etc/passwd makes a consumer that merely clones it and checks out the default branch return the entire contents of that file to the caller

2. Oct 29, 2026 · Trivy Vulnerability DB

   Fix available

   python-git fixed in 3.1.44-1+deb13u1; python-git fixed in 3.1.61-1

3. Oct 29, 2026 · Trivy Vulnerability DB

   Fix available

   python-git fixed in 3.1.44-1+deb13u1

4. Oct 29, 2026 · Trivy Vulnerability DB

   Fix available

   python-git fixed in 3.1.61-1

5. Oct 29, 2026 · Trivy Vulnerability DB

   Updated

   GitPython before 3.1.59 contains an arbitrary file read vulnerability in TagReference.create() where a positional reference parameter bypasses the unsafe option guard. Attackers can supply a reference value like --file= to read arbitrary files, with contents returned in the annotated tag message.

Sources

• CVE.orgVulnerability recordCVE-2026-78679

  Official CVE identifier

  cve.org
• GitLab Advisory DatabasePackage advisoryCVE-2026-78679

  Head.checkout() guards its **kwargs against unsafe Git options but never inspects its own positional argument — the branch name — which reaches the git checkout argv with no – separator. A repository whose default branch is named –pathspec-from-file=/etc/passwd makes a consumer that merely clones it and checks out the default branch return the entire contents of that file to the caller

  advisories.gitlab.com
• Trivy Vulnerability DBPackage advisoryDEBIAN-CVE-2026-78679

  GitPython before 3.1.59 contains an arbitrary file read vulnerability in TagReference.create() where a positional reference parameter bypasses the unsafe option guard. Attackers can supply a reference value like --file= to read arbitrary files, with contents returned in the annot

  osv.dev

References

• ADVISORY · security-tracker.debian.org

Freshness

Last verified in this catalog Oct 28, 2026. Significant claims (KEV, EPSS, CVSS, affected ranges) come from the source rows above — open the original publisher for the authoritative advisory.

• Trivy Vulnerability DBOct 29, 2026
• CVE.orgOct 28, 2026
• GitLab Advisory DatabaseOct 28, 2026