Git metadata is the repository context stored around source control, such as remotes, branches, tags, commit history, authorship, and repository URLs. It is not usually the application code itself, but it can reveal how a project is organized, which branches are active, and where the code is hosted.
In cyber security, Git metadata matters because it can expose useful reconnaissance details to attackers. A malicious extension, build step, or script that can read local repository data may learn internal naming patterns, recent development activity, and links to private infrastructure. That information can help with targeting, impersonation, or later credential theft. Defenders reduce this risk by limiting tool access, using least-privilege CI runners, avoiding shipping .git directories in artifacts, and reviewing what plugins and automation can read from developer workspaces.