CVE-2019-18451 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

GitLab Community and Enterprise Edition versions 10.7.4 through 12.4 are affected by an Open Redirect issue in the InternalRedirect filtering feature.

Understanding CVE-2019-18451

This CVE identifies a security vulnerability in GitLab versions 10.7.4 through 12.4 related to Open Redirect.

What is CVE-2019-18451?

An Open Redirect issue was discovered in the InternalRedirect filtering feature of GitLab Community and Enterprise Edition versions 10.7.4 through 12.4.

The Impact of CVE-2019-18451

The vulnerability could potentially allow attackers to redirect users to malicious websites, leading to phishing attacks or the installation of malware.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-18451

GitLab versions 10.7.4 through 12.4 are susceptible to the following:

Vulnerability Description

The InternalRedirect filtering feature in GitLab has a detected Open Redirect issue, which poses a security risk.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: GitLab Community and Enterprise Edition
Versions: 10.7.4 through 12.4

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to craft malicious URLs that redirect users to external sites, potentially compromising user security.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2019-18451, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update GitLab to a patched version that addresses the Open Redirect vulnerability.
Educate users about the risks of clicking on unknown or suspicious links.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and update security patches for GitLab installations.
Implement URL validation mechanisms to prevent Open Redirect attacks.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of security updates and patches provided by GitLab to mitigate the risk of Open Redirect vulnerabilities.