CVE-2022-0244 in Community Edition
Summary
by MITRE • 01/18/2022
An issue has been discovered in GitLab CE/EE affecting all versions starting with 14.5. Arbitrary file read was possible by importing a group was due to incorrect handling of file.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/20/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-0244 represents a critical arbitrary file read flaw within GitLab Community and Enterprise editions. This security weakness affects all versions beginning with 14.5 and stems from improper file handling during the group import process. The vulnerability allows authenticated attackers with specific privileges to read arbitrary files from the GitLab server filesystem, potentially exposing sensitive information and system resources. The flaw specifically manifests when users import groups through the GitLab interface, where the application fails to properly validate file paths and content during the import operation.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category of Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, commonly known as Path Traversal or Directory Traversal. The issue enables attackers to manipulate file paths and access files outside of the intended directories, potentially leading to unauthorized data exposure. The attack vector requires an authenticated user with sufficient privileges to perform group import operations, making it particularly concerning for organizations where privilege escalation or insider threats are possible. The vulnerability impacts the confidentiality aspect of the CIA triad, as it allows unauthorized reading of files that should remain protected.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-0244 extends beyond simple data exposure, as attackers could potentially access configuration files, database credentials, private keys, and other sensitive system artifacts. This arbitrary file reading capability could facilitate further exploitation, including privilege escalation attacks, credential theft, or information gathering for more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability affects GitLab's import functionality, which is a core administrative feature used for migrating or organizing group structures within the platform. Organizations utilizing GitLab for code repositories and DevOps workflows face significant risk, as the exposure of sensitive files could compromise entire development environments and CI/CD pipelines.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate application of security patches released by GitLab, which address the improper file handling during group import operations. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit user privileges, ensuring that only authorized personnel can perform group import functions. Additionally, monitoring and logging of import operations should be enhanced to detect suspicious activities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1566 - Phishing and T1213 - Data from Information Repositories, as it enables attackers to harvest sensitive data from repository systems. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar path traversal issues in other applications and services within the organization's infrastructure.