CVE-2021-22258 : Security Advisory and Response

GitLab project import/export feature versions 8.9 and above are affected by a vulnerability that allows access to private email addresses.

Understanding CVE-2021-22258

This CVE describes an information exposure vulnerability in GitLab that affects versions from 8.9 up to but not including 14.2.2.

What is CVE-2021-22258?

The project import/export feature in GitLab versions 8.9 and greater could be exploited to access otherwise private email addresses.

The Impact of CVE-2021-22258

With a CVSS base score of 4.3 (Medium Severity), this vulnerability allows attackers to obtain private email addresses through the affected GitLab versions.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-22258

This section provides in-depth technical details of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in the project import/export feature in GitLab allows threat actors to extract sensitive email addresses that were meant to be private.

Affected Systems and Versions

GitLab versions >=8.9 and <14.2.2 are impacted by this security issue.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by utilizing the project import/export functionality in GitLab versions 8.9 to 14.1.4.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your systems by following these mitigation strategies.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update GitLab to versions 14.2.2 or newer to address this vulnerability. Additionally, review and secure any exposed email addresses.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit sensitive data access within your GitLab environment to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Patching and Updates

Stay vigilant for security patches released by GitLab and promptly apply them to keep your systems secure.