Analysis Summary

The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has identified a critical flaw in GitLab, tracked as CVE-2023-7028, with a maximum severity score of 10.0. This vulnerability, actively exploited in the wild, enables account takeover by sending password reset emails to unverified addresses.

GitLab disclosed the issue in January, stating it was introduced in version 16.1.0 on May 1, 2023, affecting all authentication methods. While users with two-factor authentication are partially protected, successful exploitation could lead to serious consequences, including data theft, credential compromise, and source code tampering.

A cloud security firm warned of potential supply chain attacks if adversaries gain access to GitLab's CI/CD pipeline configuration, allowing for the insertion of malicious code to exfiltrate sensitive data or compromise system integrity. GitLab addressed the flaw in versions 16.5.6, 16.6.4, and 16.7.2, with patches backported to earlier versions to ensure comprehensive mitigation.

CISA has not disclosed specifics about real-world exploitation, but federal agencies are mandated to apply the latest fixes by May 22, 2024, to safeguard their networks. This highlights the urgency in addressing the vulnerability to prevent further exploitation and mitigate potential security risks associated with unauthorized access and data compromise.

Impact

• Security Bypass
• Data Theft
• Credential Theft

Indicators of Compromise

CVE

• CVE-2023-7028

Remediation

• Immediately apply the patches released by GitLab in versions 16.5.6, 16.6.4, and 16.7.2.
• Audit and review your organization's authentication mechanisms within GitLab. Ensure that all users have verified email addresses associated with their accounts.
• Consider enforcing stricter authentication policies, such as requiring multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all users.
• Implement comprehensive training programs to educate users on secure password practices, phishing awareness, and prompt reporting of suspicious activity.
• Enhance incident response plans to address GitLab vulnerabilities, clarifying stakeholder roles and responsibilities for effective mitigation.