📄 Description (English)
sbt is a build tool for Scala, Java, and others. From version 0.9.5 to before version 1.12.7, on Windows, sbt uses Process("cmd", "/c", ...) to run VCS commands (git, hg, svn). The URI fragment (branch, tag, revision) is user-controlled via the build definition and passed to these commands without validation. Because cmd /c interprets &, |, and ; as command separators, a malicious fragment can execute arbitrary commands. This issue has been patched in version 1.12.7.
🤖 AI Executive Summary
sbt (Scala Build Tool) versions 0.9.5 through 1.12.6 on Windows are vulnerable to command injection through unvalidated VCS URI fragments. Attackers can execute arbitrary commands by crafting malicious git/hg/svn branch, tag, or revision parameters in build definitions. This affects development environments and CI/CD pipelines using sbt on Windows systems. Patch to version 1.12.7 or later is critical.
📄 Description (Arabic)
🤖 AI Intelligence Analysis Analyzed: Apr 28, 2026 16:16
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Impact Assessment
Saudi financial technology companies, government development agencies, and enterprises using Scala/Java development stacks are at risk. Primary impact on: (1) ARAMCO and energy sector IT teams using sbt for internal tools, (2) Banking sector fintech divisions (ALRAJHI, RIYAD, etc.) developing Scala-based systems, (3) Government digital transformation initiatives under NCA oversight, (4) Telecom providers (STC, MOBILY) with development operations. Risk is elevated in organizations with Windows-based development infrastructure and automated CI/CD pipelines. Supply chain risk exists for software vendors delivering sbt-built applications to Saudi entities.
🏢 Affected Saudi Sectors
Banking and Financial Services
Government and Public Sector
Energy and Utilities
Telecommunications
Software Development and IT Services
Healthcare IT Systems
Defense and Security
🎯 MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
T1059.003 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: Windows Command Shell
T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application
T1195.001 - Supply Chain Compromise: Compromise Software Dependencies
T1547.001 - Boot or Logon Autostart Execution: Registry Run Keys
T1036.005 - Masquerading: Match Legitimate Name or Location
⚖️ Saudi Risk Score (AI)
7.2
/ 10.0
🔧 Remediation Steps (English)
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS:
1. Identify all Windows systems running sbt versions 0.9.5-1.12.6 across development, CI/CD, and build environments
2. Audit build.sbt and build.scala files for user-controlled VCS URI fragments (git/hg/svn references)
3. Restrict build definition modifications to trusted developers only
PATCHING:
1. Upgrade sbt to version 1.12.7 or later immediately on all affected systems
2. Update sbt launcher scripts and wrapper configurations
3. Verify patch installation: sbt --version should show 1.12.7+
4. Test builds post-upgrade to ensure compatibility
COMPENSATING CONTROLS (if immediate patching delayed):
1. Disable VCS integration in sbt builds where possible
2. Use explicit, hardcoded branch/tag references instead of dynamic fragments
3. Implement input validation: sanitize branch/tag names to alphanumeric + hyphens/underscores only
4. Run sbt builds in isolated containers/VMs with minimal privileges
5. Restrict Windows command execution permissions on build servers
DETECTION:
1. Monitor sbt build logs for unusual cmd.exe invocations with special characters (&, |, ;)
2. Alert on build.sbt modifications containing dynamic VCS fragments
3. Implement file integrity monitoring on build definition files
4. Log all sbt process executions with command-line arguments
5. Search for patterns: Process("cmd", "/c") with unsanitized variables in codebase
🔧 خطوات المعالجة (العربية)
الإجراءات الفورية:
1. تحديد جميع أنظمة Windows التي تقوم بتشغيل إصدارات sbt من 0.9.5-1.12.6 عبر بيئات التطوير و CI/CD والبناء
2. تدقيق ملفات build.sbt و build.scala للبحث عن معاملات VCS التي يتحكم بها المستخدم
3. تقييد تعديلات تعريف البناء للمطورين الموثوقين فقط
التصحيح:
1. ترقية sbt إلى الإصدار 1.12.7 أو أحدث فوراً على جميع الأنظمة المتأثرة
2. تحديث نصوص مشغل sbt وتكوينات المجمع
3. التحقق من تثبيت التصحيح: sbt --version يجب أن يظهر 1.12.7+
4. اختبار البناء بعد الترقية لضمان التوافق
الضوابط البديلة (إذا تأخر التصحيح الفوري):
1. تعطيل تكامل VCS في بناء sbt حيث أمكن
2. استخدام مراجع فرع/علامة صريحة ومشفرة بدلاً من الأجزاء الديناميكية
3. تنفيذ التحقق من الإدخال: تنظيف أسماء الفروع/العلامات إلى أحرف وأرقام فقط
4. تشغيل بناء sbt في حاويات/أجهزة افتراضية معزولة بامتيازات محدودة
5. تقييد أذونات تنفيذ أوامر Windows على خوادم البناء
الكشف:
1. مراقبة سجلات بناء sbt للبحث عن استدعاءات cmd.exe غير العادية بأحرف خاصة
2. التنبيه على تعديلات build.sbt التي تحتوي على أجزاء VCS ديناميكية
3. تنفيذ مراقبة سلامة الملفات على ملفات تعريف البناء
4. تسجيل جميع عمليات sbt مع معاملات سطر الأوامر
5. البحث عن الأنماط: Process("cmd", "/c") مع متغيرات غير منظفة في قاعدة الأكواد
📋 Regulatory Compliance Mapping
🟢 NCA ECC 2024
ECC 2024 A.14.2.1 - Secure development and change management
ECC 2024 A.14.2.5 - Access control to source code and build systems
ECC 2024 A.12.6.1 - Management of technical vulnerabilities
🔵 SAMA CSF
SAMA CSF ID.BE-3.2 - Supply chain risk management
SAMA CSF PR.DS-6 - Secure development practices
SAMA CSF DE.CM-1 - Detection and monitoring of anomalous activity
🟡 ISO 27001:2022
ISO 27001:2022 A.8.1 - Asset management and inventory
ISO 27001:2022 A.14.2.1 - Secure development policy
ISO 27001:2022 A.14.2.5 - Secure development environment
ISO 27001:2022 A.12.6.1 - Management of technical vulnerabilities
🟣 PCI DSS v4.0.1
PCI DSS 6.2 - Security patches and updates
PCI DSS 6.3.2 - Code review and testing
PCI DSS 11.3 - Vulnerability scanning and assessment
🔗 References & Sources 4
🔗
https://github.com/sbt/sbt/commit/1ce945b6b79cbe3cef6c0fe9efbbd2904e0f479e
security-advisories@github.com
Patch
🔗
https://github.com/sbt/sbt/commit/3a474ab060df4dbfa825a7e7bc97e00056519800
security-advisories@github.com
Patch
🔗
https://github.com/sbt/sbt/releases/tag/v1.12.7
security-advisories@github.com
Product
Release Notes
🔗
https://github.com/sbt/sbt/security/advisories/GHSA-x4ff-q6h8-v7gw
security-advisories@github.com
Exploit
Vendor Advisory
📦 Affected Products / CPE 1 entries
scala.epfl:sbt