CVE-2019-5461 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability related to input validation in the integration of GitHub service within GitLab Community Edition allows unauthorized POST requests, impacting versions 12.1.2, 12.0.4, and 11.11.6.

Understanding CVE-2019-5461

This CVE involves an input validation issue in GitLab's GitHub service integration.

What is CVE-2019-5461?

The vulnerability enables attackers to execute unauthorized POST requests within a GitLab instance's internal network.

The Impact of CVE-2019-5461

The vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized access and potential manipulation of data within the affected GitLab versions.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-5461

This section provides detailed technical information about the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from improper input validation in the GitHub service integration, allowing attackers to send unauthorized POST requests within the GitLab instance's internal network.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: GitLab Community Edition
Versions Affected: 12.1.2, 12.0.4, and 11.11.6

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending unauthorized POST requests within the internal network of a GitLab instance.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-5461 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update GitLab to versions 12.1.2, 12.0.4, or 11.11.6 to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious POST requests.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch GitLab to the latest versions.
Implement network segmentation to restrict unauthorized access within internal networks.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of security patches and updates provided by GitLab to address vulnerabilities like CVE-2019-5461.