CVE-2021-22217 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

A denial of service vulnerability in all versions of GitLab CE/EE before 13.12.2, 13.11.5, or 13.10.5 allows an attacker to cause uncontrolled resource consumption with a specially crafted issue or merge request.

Understanding CVE-2021-22217

This CVE affects GitLab versions prior to 13.12.2, 13.11.5, and 13.10.5, potentially leading to denial of service attacks.

What is CVE-2021-22217?

It is a vulnerability in GitLab that allows an attacker to trigger uncontrolled resource consumption by exploiting a flaw in issue or merge request handling.

The Impact of CVE-2021-22217

The vulnerability can be exploited to cause denial of service, leading to unavailability of services for users or systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-22217

This section dives into specific technical aspects of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from a flaw in how GitLab handles issue or merge requests, enabling attackers to trigger uncontrolled resource consumption.

Affected Systems and Versions

GitLab versions <13.10.5, >=13.11, <13.11.5, and >=13.12, <13.12.2 are all affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by creating specially crafted issue or merge requests that cause the system to consume excessive resources.

Mitigation and Prevention

To ensure security, follow these steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update GitLab to version 13.12.2, 13.11.5, or 13.10.5 to mitigate the vulnerability. Monitor for unusual resource consumption.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update GitLab to the latest versions and stay informed about security advisories from the vendor.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches released by GitLab promptly to address known vulnerabilities and enhance system security.