CVE-2020-13344 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

An issue has been discovered in GitLab that affects versions prior to 13.2.10, 13.3.7, and 13.4.2, allowing attackers with Redis access to authenticate as any user with a session stored in Redis.

Understanding CVE-2020-13344

This CVE involves an insecure storage vulnerability in GitLab that could lead to unauthorized access.

What is CVE-2020-13344?

This vulnerability in GitLab allows attackers with Redis access to impersonate any user with a session stored in Redis due to plaintext storage of session keys.

The Impact of CVE-2020-13344

CVSS Score: 5.7 (Medium Severity)
Confidentiality Impact: High
Integrity Impact: High
Privileges Required: High
Attack Complexity: High
Attack Vector: Local

Technical Details of CVE-2020-13344

This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from storing session keys in plaintext in Redis, enabling unauthorized access to user sessions.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Versions:
GitLab versions >=10.8, <13.2.10
GitLab versions >=13.3.0, <13.3.7
GitLab versions >=13.4.0, <13.4.2

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers with access to Redis can exploit this vulnerability to authenticate as any user with a session stored in Redis.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your systems from this vulnerability with the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade GitLab to versions 13.2.10, 13.3.7, or 13.4.2 or newer.
Monitor Redis access and restrict it to authorized personnel.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement encryption for sensitive data storage.
Regularly audit and review access controls and data storage mechanisms.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches promptly.