CVE-2023-4630 in GitLab
Summary
by MITRE • 09/11/2023
An issue has been discovered in GitLab affecting all versions starting from 10.6 before 16.1.5, all versions starting from 16.2 before 16.2.5, all versions starting from 16.3 before 16.3.1 in which any user can read limited information about any project's imports.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/03/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-4630 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within GitLab's project import functionality that has persisted across multiple version ranges. This issue affects GitLab installations from version 10.6 through 16.1.4, 16.2 through 16.2.4, and 16.3 through 16.3.0, creating a substantial attack surface that could potentially expose sensitive project metadata to unauthorized users. The flaw resides in the authorization controls governing project import operations, where proper access validation mechanisms have been bypassed or inadequately implemented.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and access control checks within GitLab's import system. When users interact with project import features, the application fails to properly verify whether the authenticated user possesses adequate permissions to access specific import-related information. This weakness allows any authenticated user to potentially retrieve project import details that should be restricted to administrators or project members with appropriate privileges. The vulnerability operates at the application logic level, specifically within the import management component where access control decisions are made, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited without requiring elevated privileges or specialized attack vectors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, potentially enabling attackers to gather intelligence about project structures, import history, and system configurations that could facilitate more sophisticated attacks. An attacker could use the leaked import information to identify project dependencies, understand system architecture patterns, or discover potential targets for further exploitation. This information disclosure could also aid in planning targeted attacks against specific projects or organizations, as the imported project details may reveal sensitive business logic or integration points. The vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely heavily on GitLab's import functionality for migration operations or third-party integration scenarios where project metadata might contain confidential information.
Security practitioners should implement immediate mitigations including applying the patched versions of GitLab as recommended by the vendor, which address the access control flaws in the import functionality. Organizations should also consider implementing network-level restrictions to limit access to GitLab's import endpoints and conduct thorough audits of project import activities to detect any unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues in software systems, and could potentially be leveraged as part of broader attack campaigns that follow ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for data from information repositories. Additionally, implementing proper logging and monitoring around import operations can help detect exploitation attempts and provide forensic evidence for security investigations. Organizations should also review their overall access control policies and ensure that all user roles have appropriate permissions boundaries to prevent similar issues in other parts of their GitLab installations.