CVE-2019-19087 in Enterprise Edition
Summary
by MITRE
Gitlab Enterprise Edition (EE) before 12.5.1 has Insecure Permissions (issue 2 of 2).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/03/2020
Gitlab Enterprise Edition versions prior to 12.5.1 contained a critical insecure permissions vulnerability that allowed unauthorized users to access protected resources and potentially execute malicious actions within the system. This vulnerability specifically affected the permission model implementation within the gitlab application, creating a scenario where users with insufficient privileges could bypass access controls and gain elevated access to sensitive data and functionality. The flaw was classified as a privilege escalation vulnerability that could be exploited by attackers to perform unauthorized operations within the gitlab environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stemmed from improper validation of user permissions within the application's access control mechanisms. Attackers could leverage this weakness to access project resources, view confidential information, and potentially manipulate system configurations without proper authorization. The vulnerability was particularly concerning because it affected the core permission system that governs how users interact with repositories, issues, and other collaborative features within Gitlab. This flaw could be exploited by users who had minimal access rights to gain access to restricted areas of the system.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-19087 was significant for organizations relying on Gitlab EE for their code management and collaboration needs. Enterprises could face data breaches, unauthorized code modifications, and potential exposure of sensitive intellectual property. The vulnerability could be exploited to access private repositories, view confidential project information, and potentially disrupt development workflows. Organizations using Gitlab EE without proper patching were at risk of having their source code and development assets compromised, leading to potential financial losses and reputational damage.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to Gitlab EE version 12.5.1 or later to address this vulnerability. The patch implemented by Gitlab addressed the underlying permission validation flaws by strengthening access control checks and ensuring proper enforcement of user privileges. System administrators should conduct thorough security assessments of their Gitlab installations to verify that all users have appropriate access levels and that no unauthorized access has occurred. Additionally, organizations should implement monitoring solutions to detect suspicious activities and maintain regular patch management processes to prevent similar vulnerabilities from affecting their systems.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 which describes improper access control in software systems, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts for maintaining access. The insecure permissions issue demonstrates how flawed access control implementations can create persistent security weaknesses that allow attackers to maintain unauthorized access to critical systems and data resources.