CVE-2021-22177 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

GitLab CE/EE versions 12.6.0 and above are affected by a potential Denial of Service (DoS) vulnerability in gitlab-shell. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to spike the server's resource utilization through a malicious gitlab-shell command.

Understanding CVE-2021-22177

This vulnerability, reported by yvvdwf, was identified in GitLab, impacting versions 12.6.0 to 13.8.4.

What is CVE-2021-22177?

The CVE-2021-22177 vulnerability in GitLab allows attackers to launch a DoS attack by exploiting gitlab-shell, impacting the server's resource utilization.

The Impact of CVE-2021-22177

With a CVSS base score of 4.3 (Medium severity), this vulnerability can lead to uncontrolled resource consumption in GitLab, posing a risk to availability.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-22177

This section provides detailed insights into the vulnerability specific to GitLab.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability lies in gitlab-shell in GitLab CE/EE versions 12.6.0 and above, allowing attackers to escalate resource consumption through malicious commands.

Affected Systems and Versions

GitLab versions >=12.6, <13.6.7, >=13.7, <13.7.7, and >=13.8, <13.8.4 are affected by CVE-2021-22177.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by executing specific gitlab-shell commands, spiking the server's resource usage.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting your GitLab instance from CVE-2021-22177 requires immediate actions and long-term security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update GitLab to the patched versions to mitigate the DoS vulnerability.
Monitor server resource usage for any suspicious activities.
Restrict access to gitlab-shell to authorized personnel only.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update GitLab to the latest versions to stay protected from known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security audits and penetration testing to identify and address potential weaknesses.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security patches released by GitLab and apply them promptly to ensure your system's security.