CVE-2020-13333 : Security Advisory and Response

A potential DOS vulnerability was discovered in GitLab versions 13.1, 13.2, and 13.3 due to an issue in the API for updating assets, leading to high CPU usage.

Understanding CVE-2020-13333

This CVE involves a denial-of-service vulnerability in GitLab versions 13.1 to 13.3.

What is CVE-2020-13333?

The vulnerability in GitLab versions 13.1, 13.2, and 13.3 allows for a potential denial-of-service attack due to a regex check issue in the API.

The Impact of CVE-2020-13333

CVSS Base Score: 4.3 (Medium)
Attack Vector: Network
Attack Complexity: Low
Availability Impact: Low
Privileges Required: Low
Scope: Unchanged
The vulnerability does not impact confidentiality or integrity.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-13333

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from a regex check in the API for updating assets, causing high CPU usage due to excessive backtracking for certain user-supplied values.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Systems: GitLab versions 13.1, 13.2, and 13.3
Vulnerable Versions:
=13.1, <13.2.10

=13.3.0, <13.3.7

=13.4.0, <13.4.2

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending specially crafted requests to the affected API, triggering the regex check and causing high CPU usage.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your systems from CVE-2020-13333 with these mitigation strategies.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update GitLab to versions 13.2.10, 13.3.7, or 13.4.2 to eliminate the vulnerability.
Monitor system resources for any unusual CPU spikes that could indicate exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update GitLab to the latest versions to patch known vulnerabilities.
Implement input validation mechanisms to prevent similar regex-based attacks.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates from GitLab and apply patches promptly to secure your systems.