CVE-2021-22220 : What You Need to Know

An issue has been discovered in GitLab affecting all versions starting with 13.10. The vulnerability allowed for stored XSS in the blob viewer of notebooks.

Understanding CVE-2021-22220

This CVE impacts GitLab versions >=13.10 and <13.12.2, <13.11.5, and <13.10.5, making them vulnerable to stored XSS attacks in the blob viewer of notebooks.

What is CVE-2021-22220?

CVE-2021-22220 is a vulnerability found in GitLab that enables threat actors to execute stored XSS attacks in the blob viewer of notebooks. This security flaw affects versions starting from 13.10 to specific versions.

The Impact of CVE-2021-22220

The impact of this CVE is rated as medium severity with a CVSS base score of 6.1. It requires user interaction for exploitation and can compromise confidentiality and integrity.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-22220

This section elaborates on the specific technical details of the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability involves improper neutralization of input during web page generation, leading to cross-site scripting (XSS) in GitLab's blob viewer for notebooks.

Affected Systems and Versions

GitLab versions >=13.10 and <13.12.2, <13.11.5, and <13.10.5 are affected by this security issue.

Exploitation Mechanism

Threat actors can exploit this vulnerability by injecting malicious scripts into GitLab's blob viewer of notebooks, potentially executing arbitrary code.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard systems from CVE-2021-22220, certain mitigation measures need to be applied.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to upgrade their GitLab software to a non-vulnerable version. It is crucial to apply patches promptly.

Long-Term Security Practices

Incorporating secure coding practices and regularly updating systems can help prevent such vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

GitLab users should monitor security advisories and apply patches released by the vendor to ensure their systems are protected.