insecure-source-code-management

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Source control and artifact exposure (.git, .svn, .hg, backups, .env). Use when recon finds VCS paths, 403 on hidden dirs, or backup/config leaks during authorized testing.

ok-helloworld By ok-helloworld schedule Updated 6/5/2026

name: insecure-source-code-management description: >- Source control and artifact exposure (.git, .svn, .hg, backups, .env). Use when recon finds VCS paths, 403 on hidden dirs, or backup/config leaks during authorized testing.

SKILL: Insecure Source Code Management

AI LOAD INSTRUCTION: This skill covers detection of exposed version-control metadata, common backup artifacts, and related misconfigurations. Use only in authorized assessments. Treat recovered credentials and URLs as sensitive; do not exfiltrate real data beyond scope. For broad discovery workflow, cross-load recon-for-sec and recon-and-methodology when those skills exist in the workspace.

0. QUICK START

High-value paths to probe first (GET or HEAD, respect rate limits):

/.git/HEAD
/.git/config
/.svn/entries
/.svn/wc.db
/.hg/requires
/.bzr/README
/.DS_Store
/.env

Routing note: quickly probe these paths first; for full recon workflow, load methodology from recon-for-sec and recon-and-methodology before deeper testing.


1. GIT EXPOSURE

Detection

  • /.git/HEAD — valid repo often returns plain text like:
ref: refs/heads/main
  • /.git/config — may expose remote.origin.url, user identity, or embedded credentials.
  • /.git/index, /.git/objects/ — partial object store access enables reconstruction with the right tools.

403 vs 404

  • 404 — path likely absent or fully blocked at the edge.
  • 403 on /.git/ — directory may exist but listing is denied; still try direct file URLs:
/.git/HEAD
/.git/config
/.git/logs/HEAD
/.git/refs/heads/main

A 403 on the directory plus 200 on HEAD strongly indicates exposure.

Key files to prioritize

Path Why it matters
.git/config Remotes, credentials, hooks paths
.git/logs/HEAD Commit history, reflog-style leakage
.git/refs/heads/* Branch tips, commit SHAs
.git/packed-refs Packed branch/tag refs
.git/objects/** Object blobs for reconstruction

2. SVN EXPOSURE

Detection

  • SVN before 1.7: /.svn/entries — XML or text metadata listing paths and revisions.
  • SVN ≥ 1.7: /.svn/wc.db — SQLite working copy database (PRAGMA table_info after download).

Example probe:

GET /.svn/entries HTTP/1.1
GET /.svn/wc.db HTTP/1.1

3. MERCURIAL EXPOSURE

Detection

  • /.hg/requires — small text file listing repository features; confirms Mercurial metadata.
GET /.hg/requires HTTP/1.1
GET /.hg/store/ HTTP/1.1

4. OTHER LEAKS

Bazaar (Bzr)

  • Probe /.bzr/README and /.bzr/branch-format for Bazaar metadata.

macOS .DS_Store

  • /.DS_Store can encode directory and filename listings.
  • Tools: gehaxelt/ds-store, lijiejie/ds_store_exp — parse .DS_Store offline.

Backup and config artifacts

Probe (adjust for app root and naming conventions):

/.env
/backup.zip
/backup.tar.gz
/wwwroot.rar
/backup.sql
/config.php.bak
/.config.php.swp

Web server misconfiguration signal (example: NGINX)

  • location /.git { deny all; } — may return 403 for /.git/ while still allowing or denying specific subpaths depending on rules.
  • 403 on a protected location can confirm the route exists; always distinguish from 404 on non-existent paths.

5. DECISION TREE

  1. Probe /.git/HEADref: refs/heads/ pattern? → run git-dumper / GitTools / GitHacker; review config and logs/HEAD for secrets.
  2. Else probe /.hg/requires → success? → mercurial dumper.
  3. Else probe /.bzr/README → Bazaar tooling or manual path walk.
  4. Parallel: fetch /.DS_Store, /.env, common backup extensions on app root and parent paths.
  5. Interpret status codes: 403 on directory + 200 on specific files → treat as high priority for file-by-file extraction.

6. RELATED ROUTING

  • From recon-for-sec — scope-safe discovery, crawling, and fingerprinting before deep VCS tests.
  • From recon-and-methodology — structured methodology and evidence handling.

Note: coordinate with recon skills—set scope and request rate first, then run targeted VCS/backup validation.

Install via CLI
npx skills add https://github.com/ok-helloworld/vibe-pentest --skill insecure-source-code-management
Repository Details
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