CVE-2019-15575 in Community Edition
Summary
by MITRE
A command injection exists in GitLab CE/EE <v12.3.2, <v12.2.6, and <v12.1.12 that allowed an attacker to inject commands via the API through the blobs scope.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/15/2024
This vulnerability represents a critical command injection flaw in GitLab Community and Enterprise Edition versions prior to specific patches, specifically affecting versions before 12.3.2, 12.2.6, and 12.1.12. The vulnerability resides within the API functionality and specifically targets the blobs scope, which is a fundamental component of GitLab's object storage system. The flaw allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the GitLab server by manipulating API requests that handle blob data operations. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-77 which specifically addresses command injection flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into system commands without proper sanitization or validation. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it leverages the API interface which is commonly exposed to external networks and often used by automated tools and CI/CD pipelines.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the way GitLab processes blob-related API requests, where user-supplied input is directly incorporated into shell commands without adequate sanitization. Attackers can craft malicious API requests that include command injection payloads within blob identifiers or related parameters. When the GitLab server processes these requests, the unsanitized input gets executed as shell commands, potentially allowing full system compromise. The impact extends beyond simple command execution as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges, access sensitive data, modify repository contents, or even establish persistent backdoors. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because GitLab serves as a central repository for source code and configuration data, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise development environments and steal intellectual property.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe for organizations using affected GitLab versions, as it provides attackers with a straightforward path to system compromise through legitimate API access points. Organizations with extensive CI/CD pipelines that interact with GitLab APIs become particularly vulnerable, as attackers can exploit this flaw to gain unauthorized access to build systems and potentially compromise entire software supply chains. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which covers command and scripting interpreter, specifically targeting the execution of malicious commands on compromised systems. Additionally, this flaw demonstrates poor input validation practices and inadequate security controls in API endpoints, which violates security best practices outlined in various compliance frameworks including ISO 27001 and NIST cybersecurity guidelines. The vulnerability can be exploited without authentication in many cases, making it particularly dangerous as it requires minimal privileges to exploit.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to patched versions of GitLab to mitigate this vulnerability, with the specific versions being 12.3.2, 12.2.6, and 12.1.12 depending on the edition and version in use. Security teams should implement network monitoring to detect suspicious API activity and consider implementing API rate limiting and input validation controls as additional defensive measures. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper input sanitization in web applications, particularly those handling user-supplied data through API endpoints. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments of their GitLab installations and review API access controls to ensure that only authorized users and systems can interact with blob-related functionality. Regular security updates and vulnerability management processes are essential to prevent exploitation of similar flaws in the future, as this vulnerability represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation can lead to complete system compromise.