GitLab Community and Enterprise Editions Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
GitHub Community and Enterprise Editions that utilize the ability to upload images through GitLab Workhorse are vulnerable to remote code execution. Workhorse passes image file extensions through ExifTool, which improperly validates the image files.
A remote attacker, without authentication, can achieve full data confidentiality loss, arbitrary modification of data, complete denial of service or system unavailability. CISA has confirmed use of this vulnerability in known ransomware campaigns — treat as high priority for remediation. Federal agencies are required to remediate by 2021-11-17 under CISA BOD 22-01.
This is a Code Injection (CWE-94) vulnerability in GitLab Community and Enterprise Editions. An issue has been discovered in GitLab CE/EE affecting all versions starting from 11.9. GitLab was not properly validating image files that were passed to a file parser which resulted in a remote command execution. Exploitation requires remote network access, low attack complexity, no authentication required, and no user interaction required.
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Phishing link
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Malicious file
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Server compromised
Probably yes if any of these apply:
Used in known ransomware campaigns. Threat-research write-up: http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/164768/GitLab-Unauthenticated-Remote-ExifTool-Command-Injection.html
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 updates per vendor instructions.
References
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References