CVE-2026-63475 PUBLISHED

isomorphic-git: Circular symbolic references cause non-terminating resolution (DoS)

Assigner: GitHub_M
Reserved: 16.07.2026 Published: 03.11.2026 Updated: 03.11.2026

isomorphic-git is a pure JavaScript implementation of Git for Node.js and browsers. Prior to 1.38.6, isomorphic-git persists server-supplied circular symref= capabilities through updateRemoteRefs, and GitRefManager.resolve() follows the resulting loose symbolic references without a default depth limit or cycle detection. After a clone from a malicious or man-in-the-middle-controlled remote, operations such as log, status, checkout, and branch that resolve refs/remotes/origin/a or refs/remotes/origin/b do not terminate. The circular references remain on disk, leaving the repository unusable for the application and causing a persistent denial of service. This issue is fixed in version 1.38.6.

Metrics

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L
CVSS Score: 4.3

Product Status

Vendor isomorphic-git
Product isomorphic-git
Versions
  • Version < 1.38.6 is affected

References

Problem Types

  • CWE-674: Uncontrolled Recursion CWE
  • CWE-835: Loop with Unreachable Exit Condition ('Infinite Loop') CWE