CVE-2023-29012: Git CMD erroneously executes `doskey.exe` in the current directory, if it exists

Severity: high (CVSS 7.8 v3.1)
Exploited in the wild: not listed in CISA KEV
EPSS: 0.4% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days
Public exploit or detection template: none known
Published: 2023-04-25 · updated 2026-06-17
Weakness: CWE-427

Description

Git for Windows is the Windows port of Git. Prior to version 2.40.1, any user of Git CMD who starts the command in an untrusted directory is impacted by an Uncontrolles Search Path Element vulnerability. Maliciously-placed `doskey.exe` would be executed silently upon running Git CMD. The problem has been patched in Git for Windows v2.40.1. As a workaround, avoid using Git CMD or, if using Git CMD, avoid starting it in an untrusted directory.

Affected products

git-for-windows git: before 2.40.1 — fixed in 2.40.1

How to fix

Upgrade to a fixed version: git-for-windows git 2.40.1. Check the vendor advisory for mitigations.

References

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