CVE-2019-11228 in Gitea
Summary
by MITRE
repo/setting.go in Gitea before 1.7.6 and 1.8.x before 1.8-RC3 does not validate the form.MirrorAddress before calling SaveAddress.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/29/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-11228 resides within the Gitea source code management platform, specifically in the repo/setting.go file where improper input validation occurs during mirror address handling. This flaw affects versions prior to 1.7.6 and 1.8.x versions before 1.8-RC3, creating a potential security risk for organizations utilizing this open-source Git service platform. The issue stems from the application's failure to properly validate the form.MirrorAddress parameter before executing the SaveAddress function, which could allow malicious actors to exploit this validation gap.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a classic input validation flaw where user-supplied data enters the system without proper sanitization or verification. When administrators configure repository mirrors within Gitea, the system accepts the MirrorAddress parameter directly from the form data without performing adequate validation checks. This oversight creates an environment where attackers could potentially inject malicious addresses or manipulate the mirror configuration in unintended ways. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the SaveAddress function is invoked with an unvalidated MirrorAddress parameter, potentially leading to various security implications depending on how the system processes these mirror configurations.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability could enable attackers to manipulate repository mirror settings in ways that might compromise the integrity of the source code management system. While the immediate exploitation path may not be straightforward, the lack of input validation opens doors for potential attackers to craft malicious mirror addresses that could redirect repository operations or interfere with normal system functionality. The vulnerability could potentially allow for unauthorized configuration changes that might affect code integrity, access controls, or system availability, particularly in environments where repository mirroring is heavily utilized. Organizations relying on Gitea for their Git repository management could face risks related to data manipulation or unauthorized access if this vulnerability is exploited.
The security implications of CVE-2019-11228 align with CWE-20, which describes "Improper Input Validation" as a fundamental weakness in software applications. This vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.001, "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell", as the exploitation might involve crafting malicious inputs that could be processed through command execution pathways. The weakness creates potential for privilege escalation or unauthorized access when administrators configure repository mirrors, as the system trust model is violated through the lack of proper parameter validation. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader security posture assessment, particularly in environments where Gitea is used for critical source code management operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve upgrading to patched versions of Gitea where the input validation has been properly implemented. System administrators should immediately update their Gitea installations to versions 1.7.6 or later 1.8.x releases that contain the necessary fixes. Additionally, organizations should implement network monitoring to detect any unusual repository configuration changes that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also review existing repository mirror configurations to ensure no malicious addresses have been inadvertently introduced. The fix implemented in the patched versions typically involves adding proper validation checks to ensure that MirrorAddress parameters conform to expected formats and do not contain potentially harmful content before being processed by the SaveAddress function. Organizations should also consider implementing additional access controls and monitoring around repository management functions to provide defense-in-depth against potential exploitation attempts.