CVE-2022-3286 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A group member can bypass IP restrictions in GitLab EE due to a lack of IP address checking, impacting versions 14.2 to 15.2.5, 15.3 to 15.3.4, and 15.4 to 15.4.1.

Understanding CVE-2022-3286

This CVE highlights a vulnerability in GitLab EE that allows unauthorized access bypassing IP restrictions.

What is CVE-2022-3286?

The lack of IP address checking in GitLab EE versions 14.2 to 15.2.5, 15.3 to 15.3.4, and 15.4 to 15.4.1 enables a group member to circumvent IP restrictions using a deploy token.

The Impact of CVE-2022-3286

This vulnerability poses a medium severity threat with a CVSS base score of 5.3. An attacker can exploit the issue to gain unauthorized access without proper IP verification.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-3286

The technical details include the vulnerability description, affected systems, versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the lack of IP address validation, allowing unauthorized access by group members using deploy tokens.

Affected Systems and Versions

GitLab EE versions 14.2 to 15.2.5, 15.3 to 15.3.4, and 15.4 to 15.4.1 are affected by this security flaw.

Exploitation Mechanism

By utilizing a deploy token, a group member can bypass IP restrictions and gain unauthorized access to GitLab EE instances.

Mitigation and Prevention

To prevent exploitation and enhance security, immediate steps and long-term practices need to be followed.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update GitLab EE to versions 15.2.5, 15.3.4, and 15.4.1 or newer to patch the vulnerability.
Review and adjust IP restrictions and access controls within GitLab settings.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit access controls and IP restrictions within GitLab.
Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) for additional security layers.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates from GitLab and promptly apply patches to address known vulnerabilities.