CVE-2020-13347 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

A command injection vulnerability in GitLab Runner versions prior to 13.2.4, 13.3.2, and 13.4.1 allows attackers to run arbitrary commands on Windows hosts.

Understanding CVE-2020-13347

This CVE involves a critical vulnerability in GitLab Runner that could lead to command injection attacks.

What is CVE-2020-13347?

A command injection flaw in GitLab Runner versions before 13.2.4, 13.3.2, and 13.4.1 enables attackers to execute unauthorized commands on Windows systems.

The Impact of CVE-2020-13347

The vulnerability has a CVSS base score of 9.1 (Critical) with high impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. It requires high privileges and can be exploited over a network without user interaction.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-13347

This section provides detailed technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands on Windows hosts via the DOCKER_AUTH_CONFIG build variable when GitLab Runner is configured with a docker executor.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: GitLab Runner
Vendor: GitLab
Affected Versions: >=12.0.0, <13.2.4; >=13.3.0, <13.3.2; >=13.4.0, <13.4.1

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by configuring GitLab Runner on a Windows system with a docker executor, enabling attackers to run unauthorized commands.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-13347 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update GitLab Runner to versions 13.2.4, 13.3.2, or 13.4.1 to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor and restrict network access to vulnerable systems.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement the principle of least privilege to limit the impact of potential attacks.
Regularly review and update security configurations to prevent similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches promptly to ensure the protection of systems against known vulnerabilities.