CVE-2020-12276 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

GitLab 9.5.9 through 12.9 is vulnerable to stored XSS in an admin notification feature.

Understanding CVE-2020-12276

GitLab versions 9.5.9 through 12.9 are susceptible to a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the admin notification feature.

What is CVE-2020-12276?

This CVE identifies a security flaw in GitLab versions 9.5.9 through 12.9 that allows attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of an admin notification.

The Impact of CVE-2020-12276

The vulnerability could be exploited by attackers to inject and execute arbitrary scripts within the admin notification feature, potentially leading to unauthorized actions or data theft.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-12276

GitLab versions 9.5.9 through 12.9 are affected by a stored XSS vulnerability in the admin notification functionality.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows malicious actors to store and execute scripts within the admin notification feature, posing a risk of unauthorized access and data manipulation.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Not applicable
Vendor: Not applicable
Versions: 9.5.9 through 12.9

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by injecting malicious scripts into the admin notification feature, which are then executed when the notification is viewed.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate action is necessary to mitigate the risks posed by CVE-2020-12276.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update GitLab to a non-vulnerable version immediately.
Monitor admin notifications for any suspicious activities.
Educate users on identifying and avoiding potential XSS attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch software to prevent known vulnerabilities.
Implement content security policies to mitigate XSS risks.

Patching and Updates

GitLab released a security update in version 12.9.1 to address this vulnerability.