# CVE-2026-110855: GitPython environment variable expansion in submodule handling

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-110855-gitpython-before-3-2-0-contains-an-information-disclosure  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-10-14. Updated: 2026-10-16  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-110855 · Severity: medium · CVSS 6.5 · Published 2026-10-14

GitPython, a library for working with Git repositories, exposes environment variables through a flaw in how it processes malicious repository configuration. An attacker can craft a specially named submodule in a Git repository that, when cloned and updated, causes GitPython to expand environment variables (such as AWS credentials or API keys) and expose their values in both on-disk directory names and debug logs. This allows attackers to steal sensitive secrets from CI/CD pipelines and other automated systems.

Technologies: [GitPython](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/gitpython-gitpython), [gitpython (PyPI)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/pypi-gitpython). Vendors: [GitPython](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/gitpython), [PyPI](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/pypi).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-110855 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-110855 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-110855?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 6.5, published 14 October 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** GitPython before 3.2.0; gitpython (PyPI) ECOSYSTEM:introduced=0,fixed=3.2.0.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-110855?** Yes. gitpython (PyPI): upgrade to 3.2.0 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-110855 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-110855?** Check whether you run GitPython or gitpython (PyPI) at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## How to fix

- gitpython (PyPI): upgrade to 3.2.0 or later

  ```sh
  pip install "gitpython>=3.2.0"
  ```


## Technical details

The vulnerability exists in Repo._clone() which calls Git.polish_url() on the separate_git_dir parameter without passing expand_vars=False, unlike other code paths handling untrusted data. A malicious .gitmodules submodule name containing environment variable syntax (e.g., $AWS_SECRET_KEY) is passed to Git.polish_url(), which expands the variables via os.path.expandvars(). The expanded secret then appears in .git/modules directory names (persistent on disk) and in DEBUG-level Popen logs that are not redacted like credential-bearing URL arguments. Exploitation requires only a standard clone + submodule_update workflow on the attacker's repository.

## Affected products

- GitPython GitPython before 3.2.0

## Identifiers

- CVE-2026-110855
- GHSA-fx3j-rwgx-fr94

## Timeline

- 2026-09-30: disclosed
- 2026-10-14: advisory

## References

- [https://github.com/gitpython-developers/GitPython/security/advisories/GHSA-fx3j-rwgx-fr94](https://github.com/gitpython-developers/GitPython/security/advisories/GHSA-fx3j-rwgx-fr94)
- [https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/gitpython-before-3.2.0-environment-variable-disclosure-via-gitmodules-submodule-name](https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/gitpython-before-3.2.0-environment-variable-disclosure-via-gitmodules-submodule-name)

## Related threats

- [GitPython command wrappers omit unsafe protocol and option checks](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-110857-gitpython-command-wrappers-omit-unsafe-protocol-and-option)
- [GitPython submodule path traversal to arbitrary hook execution](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-114145-gitpython-is-a-python-library-used-to-interact-with-git)
- [GitPython symlink following in Submodule.move()](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-110860-gitpython-from-3-1-62-before-3-2-0-contains-a-symlink-following)
- [GitPython argument injection in Head.checkout()](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-110859-gitpython-before-3-2-0-contains-an-argument-injection)
- [GitPython remote code execution in Remote.pull() refspec argument](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-110858-gitpython-from-3-1-30-before-3-2-0-contains-a-remote-code)