CVE-2013-4583 in Community Edition
Summary
by MITRE
The parse_cmd function in lib/gitlab_shell.rb in GitLab 5.0 before 5.4.2, Community Edition before 6.2.4, and Enterprise Edition before 6.2.1 and gitlab-shell before 1.7.8 allows remote authenticated users to gain privileges and clone arbitrary repositories.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2023
The vulnerability described in CVE-2013-4583 represents a critical privilege escalation issue within GitLab's gitlab-shell component that affects multiple versions of both Community and Enterprise editions. This flaw exists in the parse_cmd function located within lib/gitlab_shell.rb, creating a path for authenticated attackers to exploit and gain unauthorized access to repositories they should not be able to clone. The vulnerability specifically targets the command parsing mechanism that handles git operations within the GitLab environment, allowing malicious users to manipulate the system's access controls through crafted commands.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and command construction within the gitlab-shell component. When authenticated users submit commands through the GitLab interface, the parse_cmd function fails to properly sanitize or validate the input parameters before constructing the underlying git operations. This insecure handling of user-supplied data creates an environment where attackers can inject malicious commands that bypass normal access controls. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of command injection and privilege escalation, allowing attackers to leverage their authenticated status to perform operations beyond their intended permissions. According to CWE classification, this maps to CWE-77: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command, which specifically addresses the improper handling of command arguments that can lead to arbitrary command execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching within GitLab environments. Attackers with basic authenticated user accounts can exploit this flaw to clone any repository within the GitLab instance, regardless of the repository's access restrictions or the user's actual permissions. This allows for unauthorized data exfiltration, potential code manipulation, and complete bypass of the access control mechanisms that protect sensitive repositories. The implications extend beyond simple repository access, as attackers could potentially discover and access confidential code, configuration files, and other sensitive information stored in protected repositories. The vulnerability affects not just individual repositories but the entire GitLab instance's security posture, as it enables attackers to escalate their privileges and access data that should be restricted to authorized personnel only. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004: Valid Accounts, where adversaries leverage legitimate credentials to access systems and escalate privileges through software flaws.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-4583 require immediate patching of affected GitLab installations to versions that contain the fix for the parse_cmd function. Organizations should upgrade to GitLab 5.4.2 for Community Edition, 6.2.4 for Community Edition, 6.2.1 for Enterprise Edition, and gitlab-shell 1.7.8 or later. Beyond patching, system administrators should implement additional security controls including network segmentation to limit access to GitLab servers, monitoring for unusual git clone operations, and regular security audits of access controls. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation and proper command construction in security-critical applications, serving as a reminder of the need for robust sanitization of user inputs in all components that interact with system commands. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management systems to ensure timely deployment of security updates and maintain comprehensive incident response procedures to address potential exploitation attempts.