GitHub Copilot CLI <1.0.43: Arbitrary Exec via Nested Bare Git Repo
CVE-2026-45033 Published on May 13, 2026
GitHub Copilot CLI: Nested Bare Repository Can Execute Arbitrary Commands via core.fsmonitor
GitHub Copilot CLI brings AI-powered coding assistance directly to your command line. Prior to 1.0.43, a security vulnerability has been identified in GitHub Copilot CLI where a malicious bare git repository nested inside a project directory can achieve arbitrary code execution when the agent performs git operations. By exploiting git's automatic bare repository discovery during directory traversal, an attacker can set core.fsmonitor or other executable config keys to run arbitrary commands without user awareness or approval. The vulnerability arises because git's core.fsmonitor config key (and 15+ similar keys such as core.hookspath, diff.external, merge.tool, etc.) can specify arbitrary shell commands that git will execute as part of normal operations like status, diff, or rev-parse. This vulnerability is fixed in 1.0.43.
Vulnerability Analysis
CVE-2026-45033 can be exploited with local system access, and requires small amount of user privileges. This vulnerability is considered to have a low attack complexity. Public availability of a proof of concept (POC) exploit exists for CVE-2026-45033. The potential impact of an exploit of this vulnerability is considered to have no impact on confidentiality and integrity and availability.
Weakness Type
Incorrect Behavior Order
The product performs multiple related behaviors, but the behaviors are performed in the wrong order in ways which may produce resultant weaknesses.
Affected Versions
github copilot-cli Version < 1.0.43 is affected by CVE-2026-45033Exploit Probability
EPSS (Exploit Prediction Scoring System) scores estimate the probability that a vulnerability will be exploited in the wild within the next 30 days. The percentile shows you how this score compares to all other vulnerabilities.