CVE-2019-5487 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

GitLab EE versions prior to 12.3.3, 12.2.7, and 12.1.13 are affected by an improper access control vulnerability that exposes private code, merge requests, and commits when using Elasticsearch for group search functionality.

Understanding CVE-2019-5487

This CVE identifies a security flaw in GitLab EE versions that could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information.

What is CVE-2019-5487?

An improper access control vulnerability in GitLab EE versions <12.3.3, <12.2.7, and <12.1.13 allows Elasticsearch to display private code, merge requests, and commits.

The Impact of CVE-2019-5487

The vulnerability could result in unauthorized users viewing confidential code, merge requests, and commits, compromising the security and confidentiality of the GitLab instance.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-5487

This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in GitLab EE versions prior to 12.3.3, 12.2.7, and 12.1.13 enables the group search feature with Elasticsearch to expose private code, merge requests, and commits.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: GitLab EE
Versions: 12.3.3, 12.2.7, 12.1.13

Exploitation Mechanism

Unauthorized users can exploit this vulnerability by leveraging the group search functionality in GitLab EE with Elasticsearch to access private code, merge requests, and commits.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your systems from CVE-2019-5487 with the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade GitLab EE to version 12.3.3, 12.2.7, or 12.1.13 to mitigate the vulnerability.
Restrict access to sensitive information to authorized personnel only.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit access controls within GitLab EE.
Educate users on secure coding practices and data handling procedures.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by GitLab and apply them promptly to ensure the security of your GitLab EE instance.