CVE-2021-21237

Name: CVE-2021-21237
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2021-01-15T18:15:15.98+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7.8/10EPSS 0.44%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2021-21237 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.8/10 on the CVSS scale. Git LFS is a command line extension for managing large files with Git. On Windows, if Git LFS operates on a malicious repository with a git.bat or git.exe file in the current directory, that program would be executed, permitting the attacker to execute arbitrary code. EPSS estimates a 0.44% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

Git LFS is a command line extension for managing large files with Git. On Windows, if Git LFS operates on a malicious repository with a git.bat or git.exe file in the current directory, that program would be executed, permitting the attacker to execute arbitrary code. This does not affect Unix systems. This is the result of an incomplete fix for CVE-2020-27955. This issue occurs because on Windows, Go includes (and prefers) the current directory when the name of a command run does not contain a directory separator. Other than avoiding untrusted repositories or using a different operating system, there is no workaround. This is fixed in v2.13.2.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7.8/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS Probability

0.44%

34.9th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-426

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Git Large File Storage Project	Git Large File Storage	< 2.13.2

References

https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2020-27955Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/git-lfs/git-lfs/commit/fc664697ed2c2081ee9633010de0a7f9debea72aPatch, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/git-lfs/git-lfs/releases/tag/v2.13.2Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/git-lfs/git-lfs/security/advisories/GHSA-cx3w-xqmc-84g5Third Party Advisory
https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2020-27955Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/git-lfs/git-lfs/commit/fc664697ed2c2081ee9633010de0a7f9debea72aPatch, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/git-lfs/git-lfs/releases/tag/v2.13.2Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/git-lfs/git-lfs/security/advisories/GHSA-cx3w-xqmc-84g5Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Jan 15, 2021
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2021-21237?

How severe is CVE-2021-21237?

CVE-2021-21237 has a CVSS score of 7.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.44% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2021-21237?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2021-21237?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST