IRONSMITHINTEL
CRITICALCVSS10.0
|
Actively Exploited
|CISA KEV|CVE-2023-7028|Auth: none — unauthenticated|Reboot: required|Manual only

GitLab Community and Enterprise Editions Improper Access Control Vulnerability (CVE-2023-7028)

GitLab Community and Enterprise Editions contain an improper access control vulnerability. This allows an attacker to trigger password reset emails to be sent to an unverified email address to ultimately facilitate an account takeover.

Published Jan 12, 2024 · Updated May 29, 2026
XLinkedIn
Why patchRisk explained in plain English
Worst-case scenarioIf unpatched

A remote attacker, without authentication, can achieve full data confidentiality loss, arbitrary modification of data. Federal agencies are required to remediate by 2024-05-22 under CISA BOD 22-01.

How the attack worksNo clicks needed

This is a Software Vulnerability (CWE-640) (CWE-640) vulnerability in GitLab GitLab CE/EE. An issue has been discovered in GitLab CE/EE affecting all versions from 16.1 prior to 16.1.6, 16.2 prior to 16.2.9, 16.3 prior to 16.3.7, 16.4 prior to 16.4.5, 16.5 prior to 16.5.6, 16.6 prior to 16.6.4, and 16.7 prior to 16.7.2 in which user account password reset emails could be delivered to an unverified email address. Exploitation requires remote network access, low attack complexity, no authentication required, and no user interaction required.

📧

Phishing link

→

🖼

Malicious file

🔓

Server compromised

Am I affected?Quick check

Probably yes if any of these apply:

●IT Security
●Running gitlab: 16.1.0 ≤ v < 16.1.6, 16.2.0 ≤ v < 16.2.9, 16.3.0 ≤ v < 16.3.7, 16.4.0 ≤ v < 16.4.5, 16.5.0 ≤ v < 16.5.6, 16.6.0 ≤ v < 16.6.4, 16.7.0 ≤ v < 16.7.2
Real-world incidentsWhat we've seen

Active exploitation documented in the wild. Threat-research write-up: https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/436084

How to patch

Get the fix

Apply the fixed package from your vendor. The advisory lists affected versions and the exact fixed build.

↗ Vendor advisory

Manual remediation steps

Apply the Vendor Patch

This vulnerability is in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog — apply the vendor's security update as soon as possible.

CISA required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.

References

    1
    Vendor advisory: https://about.gitlab.com/releases/2024/01/11/critical-security-release-gitlab-16-7-2-released/
    1
    NVD entry: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-7028
    1
    CISA KEV: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2023-7028
PowerShell automationComing soon

No tested PowerShell script for this entry yet. We’re prioritising automation based on user demand.

References

↗ CVE-2023-7028↗ Advisory

Related vulnerabilities

CRITICAL9.8

KB5000871: Windows Server 2016 / 2019 Security Update (May 2026)

Microsoft Exchange Server

CVE-2021-26855

MEDIUM6.5

Microsoft Defender for Identity Improper Authentication — Spoofing (CVE-2025-26685)

Microsoft Defender for Identity

CVE-2025-26685

HIGH

IIS Security Updates Require Both Windows Update and Manual Configuration Review

Microsoft IIS