CVE-2018-19579 in Enterprise Edition
Summary
by MITRE
GitLab EE version 11.5 is vulnerable to a persistent XSS vulnerability in the Operations page. This is fixed in 11.5.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-19579 represents a critical persistent cross-site scripting flaw discovered in GitLab Enterprise Edition version 11.5 within the Operations page functionality. This issue allows authenticated attackers with specific privileges to inject malicious scripts that persist in the application's database and execute against other users who access the affected page. The vulnerability specifically impacts the Operations section of GitLab's web interface where users can manage various operational aspects of their GitLab instance, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on this platform for version control and DevOps operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding within the Operations page's user interface components. When administrators or users with appropriate permissions create or modify entries in the operations section, the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before storing it in the database. This oversight creates a persistent XSS vector where malicious scripts can be stored and executed whenever other users view the affected content. The flaw is classified as a persistent XSS vulnerability under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting attacks where malicious scripts are stored and then executed in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects an administrative functionality page, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges or extract sensitive information from authenticated sessions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, data exfiltration, and privilege escalation within the GitLab environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially access confidential project information, modify operational configurations, or even gain access to other users' sessions through stolen cookies or tokens. The persistence of the vulnerability means that once exploited, the malicious scripts remain active until manually removed from the database, creating a long-term security risk for organizations. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.005 which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, particularly when attackers leverage XSS to execute malicious scripts in user browsers. The attack surface is particularly concerning for organizations using GitLab Enterprise Edition for sensitive development workloads where operational data often contains sensitive project information and access controls.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-19579 require immediate patching to version 11.5.1 or later, which includes proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent malicious script injection. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures including regular security audits of user inputs, monitoring for suspicious activity in the Operations page, and implementing web application firewalls to detect and block XSS attempts. Network segmentation and principle of least privilege access controls should be enforced to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of their GitLab installations to identify any other persistent XSS vulnerabilities that may exist in similar functionalities. The remediation process should include thorough testing to ensure that the patch does not introduce regressions in legitimate operational features while maintaining the security improvements. Organizations should also review their incident response procedures to ensure readiness for potential exploitation attempts and implement proper logging and monitoring to detect unauthorized modifications to operational data.