CVE-2018-20683: commands/rsync in Gitolite before 3.6.11, if .gitolite.rc enables rsync, mishandles the rsync command line, wh

Q: How do I fix CVE-2018-20683?

gitolite: upgrade to 3.6.11. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2018-20683 being exploited?

CVE-2018-20683 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2018-20683 affect?

CVE-2018-20683 affects gitolite. Severity is high (CVSS 8.1). commands/rsync in Gitolite before 3.6.11, if .gitolite.rc enables rsync, mishandles the rsync command line, which allows attackers to have a "bad" impact by triggering use of an option other than -v, -n, -q, or -P.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2018-20683?

Priority 54/100. High severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

This month

HIGH 8.1REMOTEUPGRADE

CVE-2018-20683 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.1) affecting gitolite. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

commands/rsync in Gitolite before 3.6.11, if .gitolite.rc enables rsync, mishandles the rsync command line, which allows attackers to have a "bad" impact by triggering use of an option other than -v, -n, -q, or -P.

Why this priority

High severity
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	8.1 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	High
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	2.0% (top 19%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-20
Published	2019-01-10
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: gitolite

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2019-01-10 01:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 01:53 UTCUpdated Record last modified

gitolite gitolite UPGRADE

Affected: < 3.6.11

Fixed in: 3.6.11

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy gitolite || rpm -q gitolite || gitolite --version

2. UPGRADE to 3.6.11 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade gitolite

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade gitolite

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2018-20683?

gitolite: upgrade to 3.6.11. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2018-20683 being exploited?

CVE-2018-20683 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2018-20683 affect?

CVE-2018-20683 affects gitolite. Severity is high (CVSS 8.1). commands/rsync in Gitolite before 3.6.11, if .gitolite.rc enables rsync, mishandles the rsync command line, which allows attackers to have a "bad" impact by triggering use of an option other than -v, -n, -q, or -P.

How urgent is CVE-2018-20683?

Priority 54/100. High severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Related CVEs

CVE-2018-16976 HIGH 8.1 UPGRADE Gitolite before 3.6.9 does not (in certain configurations involving @all or a regex) properly restrict access
CVE-2013-7203 MEDIUM 5.5 UPGRADE gitolite before commit fa06a34 might allow local users to read arbitrary files in repositories via vectors rel
CVE-2013-4451 CRITICAL 9.8 UPGRADE gitolite commit fa06a34 through 3.5.3 might allow attackers to have unspecified impact via vectors involving w
CVE-2010-2447 CRITICAL 9.8 UPGRADE gitolite before 1.4.1 does not filter src/ or hooks/ from path names.

References

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