libgit2 verify_server_cert IP check flaw fixed in 1.8.6/1.9.5
CVE-2026-53583 Published on August 20, 2026
libgit2: Inverted IP SubjectAltName Comparison in OpenSSL Backend
libgit2 is a portable C implementation of the Git core methods provided as a linkable library with a solid API, allowing to build Git functionality into your application. Prior to 1.8.6 and 1.9.5, verify_server_cert in src/libgit2/streams/openssl.c uses an inverted !!memcmp result in the GEN_IPADD branch when comparing an IP-literal host with a certificate IP SubjectAltName. OpenSSL builds reject matching IP addresses and accept mismatched IP addresses, allowing a network attacker with a CA-trusted certificate containing any IP SubjectAltName to intercept libgit2 connections to IP-literal HTTPS URLs. DNS SubjectAltName validation and non-OpenSSL TLS backends are not affected. This issue is fixed in versions 1.8.6 and 1.9.5.
Vulnerability Analysis
CVE-2026-53583 can be exploited with network access, and does not require authorization privileges or user interaction. This vulnerability is considered to have a low attack complexity. An automatable proof of concept (POC) exploit exists. The potential impact of an exploit of this vulnerability is considered to have a small impact on confidentiality and integrity, and no impact on availability.
Weakness Types
Improper Certificate Validation
The software does not validate, or incorrectly validates, a certificate. When a certificate is invalid or malicious, it might allow an attacker to spoof a trusted entity by interfering in the communication path between the host and client. The software might connect to a malicious host while believing it is a trusted host, or the software might be deceived into accepting spoofed data that appears to originate from a trusted host.
Improper Validation of Certificate with Host Mismatch
The software communicates with a host that provides a certificate, but the software does not properly ensure that the certificate is actually associated with that host.
Products Associated with CVE-2026-53583
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Affected Versions
libgit2:- Version < 1.8.6 is affected.
- Version >= 1.9.0, < 1.9.5 is affected.