CVE-2021-22262 in GitLab
Summary
by MITRE • 10/05/2021
Missing access control in GitLab version 13.10 and above with Jira Cloud integration enabled allows Jira users without administrative privileges to add and remove Jira Connect Namespaces via the GitLab.com for Jira Cloud application configuration page
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/09/2021
This vulnerability resides in GitLab's Jira Cloud integration functionality and represents a critical access control flaw that undermines the security boundaries between different user roles within the integrated platform. The issue affects GitLab versions 13.10 and above where Jira Cloud integration is enabled, creating a scenario where unauthorized users can manipulate namespace configurations through the GitLab.com for Jira Cloud application interface. The vulnerability stems from insufficient authorization checks during namespace management operations, allowing users with minimal privileges to perform administrative actions that should be restricted to authorized administrators only.
The technical flaw manifests in the lack of proper privilege validation when processing requests to add or remove Jira Connect Namespaces through the web interface. This missing access control mechanism permits any authenticated Jira user to manipulate namespace associations without proper authentication or authorization verification. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically targets the configuration management functions within GitLab's Jira integration module, where namespace operations should require administrative privileges but instead accept requests from any user with valid Jira credentials. This represents a classic authorization bypass vulnerability that aligns with CWE-285, which describes improper authorization in software systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows malicious or unauthorized users to potentially gain elevated privileges within the integrated GitLab environment. Attackers could exploit this weakness to establish persistent access to project resources, manipulate repository configurations, or create backdoor access points through namespace manipulation. The vulnerability affects the integrity and availability of GitLab projects that utilize Jira Cloud integration, potentially leading to data exposure, unauthorized code modifications, or disruption of development workflows. Organizations using GitLab with Jira Cloud integration face risk of unauthorized namespace modifications that could compromise the security posture of their entire development infrastructure.
The security implications extend beyond simple namespace manipulation as this vulnerability could enable attackers to escalate privileges within the integrated system. By adding or removing namespaces, malicious actors could potentially redirect project associations, access unauthorized repositories, or disrupt normal development operations. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for privilege escalation attacks where users might leverage this weakness to gain administrative access to GitLab projects or the underlying Jira Cloud integration itself. This type of access control failure aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation through unauthorized access to system resources.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including disabling Jira Cloud integration for users who do not require it, implementing additional access controls at the network level, and monitoring for unauthorized namespace modifications. The most effective immediate fix involves applying the official GitLab security patches that address this specific authorization bypass. System administrators should also review existing user permissions and implement least privilege principles for Jira Cloud integration access. Additional monitoring should be implemented to detect suspicious namespace modification activities, and organizations should consider implementing multi-factor authentication for administrative functions within the GitLab environment. Regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar access control weaknesses in other integrations and system components.