CVE-2023-25815

What it is

In Git for Windows, the Windows port of Git, no localized messages are shipped with the installer. As a consequence, Git is expected not to localize messages at all, and skips the gettext initialization. However, due to a change in MINGW-packages, the `gettext()` function's implicit initialization no longer uses the runtime prefix but uses the hard-coded path `C:\mingw64\share\locale` to look for localized messages. And since any authenticated user has the permission to create folders in `C:\` (and since `C:\mingw64` does not typically exist), it is possible for low-privilege users to place fake messages in that location where `git.exe` will pick them up in version 2.40.1. This vulnerability is relatively hard to exploit and requires social engineering. For example, a legitimate message at the end of a clone could be maliciously modified to ask the user to direct their web browser to a malicious website, and the user might think that the message comes from Git and is legitimate. It does require local write access by the attacker, though, which makes this attack vector less likely. Version 2.40.1 contains a patch for this issue. Some workarounds are available. Do not work on a Windows machine with shared accounts, or alternatively create a `C:\mingw64` folder and leave it empty. Users who have administrative rights may remove the permission to create folders in `C:\`.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited locally on the machine with a low-privilege account, but needs a user to act. Limited direct impact.

Exploit odds

0.8% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

1. 2023-04-25 20:15 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-11-02 23:17 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 0.8% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 3.3 LOW (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published

2023-04-25 20:15 UTC

Last modified

2026-11-02 23:17 UTC

Exploit probability

0.8% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-22 · Path traversal

Record status

Modified

Affected

• Git For Windows Project Git For Windows < 2.40.1
• Fedoraproject Fedora 37
• Fedoraproject Fedora 38

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 3.3

Attack vector

Local

Complexity

High

Privileges needed

Low

User interaction

Required

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

None

Integrity

Low

Availability

Low

Is it in your code?

Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.

Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2023-25815.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2023-25815. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

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