CVE-2022-0124 in GitLab
Summary
by MITRE • 01/18/2022
An issue has been discovered affecting GitLab versions prior to 14.4.5, between 14.5.0 and 14.5.3, and between 14.6.0 and 14.6.1. Gitlab's Slack integration is incorrectly validating user input and allows to craft malicious URLs that are sent to slack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/20/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-0124 represents a critical input validation flaw within GitLab's Slack integration functionality that affects multiple version ranges including releases before 14.4.5 and specific patches between 14.5.0-14.5.3 and 14.6.0-14.6.1. This issue stems from inadequate sanitization of user-provided data when constructing URLs for Slack notifications, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject harmful content into the integration workflow.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the Slack integration module where user input is not properly validated or escaped before being incorporated into URL construction processes. This weakness allows attackers to manipulate the URL parameters used in Slack notifications, potentially enabling them to redirect users to malicious websites or inject harmful payloads through the Slack integration channel. The flaw operates at the application layer and specifically targets the data sanitization mechanisms that should prevent untrusted input from being processed without proper validation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption as it creates a potential attack vector for social engineering campaigns and phishing attempts. When users receive Slack notifications from GitLab, they may unknowingly be directed to malicious domains that could harvest credentials, install malware, or perform other malicious activities. This represents a significant risk to organizations that rely heavily on GitLab's integration capabilities for project notifications and collaboration workflows. The vulnerability essentially transforms legitimate notification systems into potential attack delivery mechanisms.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately upgrade to GitLab version 14.4.5 or higher, or to the patched versions in the 14.5.4 and 14.6.2 releases to mitigate the risk. Additionally, administrators should review existing Slack integration configurations and implement additional monitoring for suspicious URL patterns in notification systems. The mitigation strategy should include validating all user inputs through proper sanitization routines and implementing strict URL validation mechanisms before any external communication is initiated. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which addresses improper input validation, and could be exploited through techniques documented in the ATT&CK framework under initial access and command and control phases, particularly through the use of malicious links in communication channels.