CVE-2022-1162 in Community Edition
Summary
by MITRE • 04/05/2022
A hardcoded password was set for accounts registered using an OmniAuth provider (e.g. OAuth, LDAP, SAML) in GitLab CE/EE versions 14.7 prior to 14.7.7, 14.8 prior to 14.8.5, and 14.9 prior to 14.9.2 allowing attackers to potentially take over accounts
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2024
This vulnerability in GitLab CE/EE affects versions prior to specific patch releases and stems from a critical flaw in the authentication handling process for users registered through OmniAuth providers. The issue manifests when users authenticate via external identity providers such as OAuth, LDAP, or SAML systems, creating a security risk that could allow unauthorized access to user accounts. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-259 as a weakness involving the use of hard-coded credentials, representing a fundamental security misconfiguration that undermines the integrity of the authentication system.
The technical implementation flaw occurs during the account creation process when GitLab assigns a hardcoded password to users who register through OmniAuth providers. This hardcoded credential mechanism bypasses normal password generation and verification procedures, creating a persistent backdoor that attackers can exploit to gain unauthorized access to accounts. The vulnerability specifically impacts the authentication flow where GitLab fails to properly initialize user credentials when external authentication is used, leaving users susceptible to compromise through the hardcoded password.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple account takeover as it represents a fundamental breach in GitLab's authentication security model. Attackers who discover the hardcoded password can access any account that was registered through an OmniAuth provider, potentially compromising sensitive code repositories, access controls, and confidential data within the GitLab instance. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects the core authentication mechanism and can lead to persistent unauthorized access, making it a high-risk issue that requires immediate attention. The attack pattern aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 which covers valid accounts used for lateral movement and persistence.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected GitLab installations to versions 14.7.7, 14.8.5, and 14.9.2 respectively. Organizations should also implement comprehensive monitoring for unauthorized authentication attempts and conduct thorough account reviews to identify any potential compromise. The remediation process involves verifying that all existing accounts registered through OmniAuth providers have had their credentials properly reset and that no hardcoded passwords remain in the system. Security teams should also review their access control policies and implement additional authentication measures such as multi-factor authentication to reduce the risk of unauthorized access. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper credential management and the dangers of hard-coded secrets in authentication systems, reinforcing the need for robust security practices in identity management solutions.