CVE-2019-15589 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

GitLab CE/EE versions prior to 12.3.2, 12.2.6, 12.1.12 are affected by an improper access control vulnerability that allows blocked users to perform GIT clone and pull actions if they had a CI/CD token.

Understanding CVE-2019-15589

This CVE identifies a security vulnerability in GitLab versions prior to 12.3.2, 12.2.6, 12.1.12 related to improper access control.

What is CVE-2019-15589?

An improper access control vulnerability in GitLab versions <v12.3.2, <v12.2.6, <v12.1.12 allows blocked users to execute GIT clone and pull actions if they had previously obtained a CI/CD token.

The Impact of CVE-2019-15589

Unauthorized users can bypass access controls and perform actions they should not have permission for.
This could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive code repositories and data.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-15589

GitLab CE/EE versions prior to 12.3.2, 12.2.6, 12.1.12 are affected by this vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability stems from improper access control mechanisms in the affected GitLab versions.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: GitLab CE/EE
Versions: 12.3.2, 12.2.6, 12.1.12

Exploitation Mechanism

Blocked users with a previously obtained CI/CD token can still perform GIT clone and pull actions.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take:

Upgrade GitLab to version 12.3.2 or newer to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor and restrict access to sensitive repositories. Long-Term Security Practices:
Regularly review and update access control policies.
Educate users on secure practices and the importance of access control.
Implement multi-factor authentication for enhanced security. Patch and Updates:
Apply security patches and updates provided by GitLab to address this vulnerability.