CVE-2022-36069

Observation

When handling dependencies that come from a Git repository instead of a registry, Poetry uses various commands, such as git clone. These commands are being constructed using user input (e.g. the repository URL). When building the commands, Poetry correctly avoids Command Injection vulnerabilities by passing an array of arguments instead of a command string. However, there is the possibility that a user input starts with a dash (-) and is therefore treated as an optional argument instead of a positional one. This can lead to Code Execution because some of the commands have options that can be leveraged to run arbitrary executables.

To clone a repository, Poetry builds a git clone command, but fails to validate or sanitize the repository location properly:

poetry/core/vcs/git.py:

def clone(self, repository: str, dest: Path) -> str:
    return self.run("clone", "--recurse-submodules", repository, str(dest))

Since this value comes from the pyproject.toml file, it can contain any character, including a leading dash.

Remediation

Upgrade to version 1.1.9 || 1.2.0b1

References

Fix PR

For more information

If you have any questions or comments about this advisory, email us at [email protected]

This vulnerability can lead to Arbitrary Code Execution, which would lead to the takeover of the system. If a developer is exploited, the attacker could steal credentials or persist their access. If the exploit happens on a server, the attackers could use their access to attack other internal systems.
Since this vulnerability requires a fair amount of user interaction, it is not as dangerous as a remotely exploitable one. However, it still puts developers at risk when dealing with untrusted files in a way they think is safe, because the exploit still works when the victim tries to make sure nothing can happen, e.g. by vetting any Git or Poetry config files that might be present in the directory.
This kind of attack vector has been used in the past to target security researchers by sending them projects to collaborate on, so we believe that there is a non-negligible risk.

Untrusted input is evaluated as executable code within the application's runtime environment. Typical impact: arbitrary code execution within the application's privilege context.

CVE-2022-36069 has a CVSS score of 7.3 (High). The vector is requires local access, low privileges required, and user interaction required. A CVSS score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether this affects your application depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable in your environment. A fixed version is available (1.1.9); upgrading removes the vulnerable code path.

Kodem intelligence

1.1.8 || 1.2.0b1

1. What is CVE-2022-36069? CVE-2022-36069 is a high-severity code injection vulnerability in poetry (pip), affecting versions < 1.1.9. It is fixed in 1.1.9. Untrusted input is evaluated as executable code within the application's runtime environment.
2. How severe is CVE-2022-36069? CVE-2022-36069 has a CVSS score of 7.3 (High). This score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether it represents real risk in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable.
3. Which versions of poetry are affected by CVE-2022-36069? poetry (pip) versions < 1.1.9 is affected.
4. Is there a fix for CVE-2022-36069? Yes. CVE-2022-36069 is fixed in 1.1.9. Upgrade to this version or later.
5. Is CVE-2022-36069 exploitable, and should I be worried? Whether CVE-2022-36069 is exploitable in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable. A CVSS score is a worst-case rating; it does not account for your specific deployment, configuration, or usage patterns. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to show which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so you can focus on the ones that represent real risk. Get a demo
6. What actually determines whether CVE-2022-36069 is exploitable, and how bad it is? Exploitability and impact are not fixed properties of a CVE. They depend on runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A high CVSS score on a dependency that never runs is not the same as real risk. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter.
7. How do I fix CVE-2022-36069? Upgrade poetry to 1.1.9 or later.