CVE-2018-25332: GitBucket RCE Exposes Unauthenticated Command Execution
The National Vulnerability Database has detailed CVE-2018-25332, a critical unauthenticated remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability in GitBucket version 4.23.1. This flaw stems from a combination of weak secret token generation and insecure file upload mechanisms, allowing attackers to gain full system control.
Attackers can exploit this by brute-forcing the Blowfish encryption key, then uploading a malicious JAR plugin via the git-lfs endpoint. Once the malicious plugin is staged, an exposed exploit endpoint enables the execution of arbitrary system commands. The National Vulnerability Database assigns this a CVSS score of 9.8 (Critical), underscoring the severity of unauthenticated RCE.
This isn’t just a theoretical exploit; it’s a critical attack vector for any organization running vulnerable GitBucket instances. The unauthenticated nature means an attacker needs no prior access, drastically lowering the bar for exploitation. It’s a direct path to full system compromise, data exfiltration, or further lateral movement within an environment.
What This Means For You
- If your organization uses GitBucket, immediately verify your version. If you are running GitBucket 4.23.1 or earlier, you are exposed to unauthenticated remote code execution. Patch or upgrade to a secure version without delay. This isn't a vulnerability to patch next week; it's a fix-it-now situation.
Related ATT&CK Techniques
🛡️ Detection Rules
3 rules · 6 SIEM formats3 detection rules auto-generated for this incident, mapped to MITRE ATT&CK. Sigma YAML is free — export to any SIEM format via the Intel Bot.
CVE-2018-25332: GitBucket Unauthenticated RCE via Git LFS Upload
title: CVE-2018-25332: GitBucket Unauthenticated RCE via Git LFS Upload
id: scw-2026-05-17-ai-1
status: experimental
level: critical
description: |
Detects the initial access vector for CVE-2018-25332 by looking for POST requests to the '/git-lfs/git-lfs' endpoint, which is used to upload malicious JAR plugins. This is a critical indicator of an attempted or successful exploitation of the GitBucket RCE vulnerability.
author: SCW Feed Engine (AI-generated)
date: 2026-05-17
references:
- https://shimiscyberworld.com/posts/nvd-CVE-2018-25332/
tags:
- attack.initial_access
- attack.t1190
logsource:
category: webserver
detection:
selection:
cs-uri|contains:
- '/git-lfs/git-lfs'
cs-method|contains:
- 'POST'
sc-status|exact:
- 200
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Legitimate administrative activity
Source: Shimi's Cyber World · License & reuse
Indicators of Compromise
| ID | Type | Indicator |
|---|---|---|
| CVE-2018-25332 | RCE | GitBucket 4.23.1 |
| CVE-2018-25332 | RCE | Weak secret token generation (Blowfish encryption key brute-force) |
| CVE-2018-25332 | RCE | Insecure file upload functionality via git-lfs endpoint |
| CVE-2018-25332 | RCE | Malicious JAR plugin upload |
| CVE-2018-25332 | RCE | Exploitable endpoint for system command execution |
Written by SCW Vulnerability Desk
Source & Attribution
| Source Platform | NVD |
| Channel | National Vulnerability Database |
| Published | May 17, 2026 at 16:16 UTC |
This content was AI-rewritten and enriched by Shimi's Cyber World based on the original source. All intellectual property rights remain with the original author.
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