CVE-2020-13331 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

An issue has been discovered in GitLab affecting versions prior to 12.10.13. GitLab was vulnerable to a stored XSS by in the Wiki pages.

Understanding CVE-2020-13331

This CVE involves a vulnerability in GitLab that could allow for stored cross-site scripting attacks.

What is CVE-2020-13331?

CVE-2020-13331 is a security vulnerability found in GitLab versions before 12.10.13, enabling stored XSS attacks in Wiki pages.

The Impact of CVE-2020-13331

CVSS Base Score: 5.4 (Medium Severity)
Attack Vector: Network
Attack Complexity: Low
User Interaction: Required
Scope: Changed
Confidentiality Impact: Low
Integrity Impact: Low
Privileges Required: Low
Availability Impact: None

Technical Details of CVE-2020-13331

This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability involves improper neutralization of input during web page generation, leading to cross-site scripting in GitLab.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Product: GitLab
Affected Versions: <12.10.13

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by injecting malicious scripts into Wiki pages, potentially leading to unauthorized access or data theft.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-13331 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update GitLab to version 12.10.13 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Educate users on safe practices to prevent XSS attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit Wiki pages for suspicious content.
Implement content security policies to prevent script execution from untrusted sources.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates from GitLab and apply patches promptly to address known vulnerabilities.