Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
Sourcetree for macOS had a flaw where a specially crafted filename in a linked Mercurial repository could make the application run code on a user’s Mac. The attacker needs permission to commit to that repository, so risk is highest where developers use shared Mercurial repositories with older Sourcetree versions.
Executive priority
Treat this as a targeted developer-workstation risk, not a broad internet-facing emergency. Prioritize teams using macOS Sourcetree with Mercurial, especially shared repositories with multiple committers.
Technical view
CVE-2018-13385 is an argument injection issue in Sourcetree for macOS through filenames in Mercurial repositories. Atlassian states versions from 1.0b2 before 2.7.6 are affected. A repository committer can exploit filename handling to achieve code execution on the Sourcetree user’s system.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to macOS systems running Sourcetree versions from 1.0b2 before 2.7.6 with linked Mercurial repositories. Organizations that no longer use Mercurial or have upgraded Sourcetree are less likely to be exposed.
Exploitation context
The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or active exploitation evidence. Exploitation requires the attacker to have commit rights to a Mercurial repository linked in Sourcetree for macOS.
Researcher notes
The public bundle provides no CVSS, CWE, exploit details, or active-exploitation confirmation. The strongest source detail is Atlassian’s affected range and attack precondition. Validate exposure by product version, operating system, Mercurial usage, and repository trust boundaries.
Mitigation direction
- Upgrade Sourcetree for macOS to 2.7.6 or later.
- Check Atlassian guidance for any additional vendor-recommended actions.
- Restrict commit access to Mercurial repositories used by Sourcetree users.
- Avoid opening untrusted Mercurial repositories in vulnerable Sourcetree clients.
- Remove vulnerable Sourcetree installations where they are no longer needed.
Validation and detection
- Inventory macOS endpoints for Sourcetree installations and versions.
- Confirm all Sourcetree for macOS versions are 2.7.6 or later.
- Identify Mercurial repositories linked or routinely opened in Sourcetree.
- Review commit permissions on shared Mercurial repositories.
- Check endpoint telemetry for unusual code execution originating from Sourcetree or Mercurial.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
Execution behavior lookup
The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2018-13385 mapping review
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Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Unknown
- CVSS
- Not scored
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS and timeline data
No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://jira.atlassian.com/browse/SRCTREE-5846CVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.