CVE-2021-22231 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A denial of service vulnerability was discovered in GitLab CE/EE version 8.0 and above. This vulnerability allows an attacker to deny access to a user's profile page by exploiting a specially crafted username.

Understanding CVE-2021-22231

This section provides insights into the impact and technical details of the CVE-2021-22231 vulnerability.

What is CVE-2021-22231?

The CVE-2021-22231 vulnerability is a denial of service issue that affects GitLab versions 8.0 to 14.0.2. It allows attackers to block access to a user's profile page using a malicious username.

The Impact of CVE-2021-22231

With a CVSS v3.1 base score of 3.5 (Low severity), this vulnerability poses a risk of uncontrolled resource consumption in affected GitLab instances. Attackers can disrupt user access to profile pages, potentially leading to service downtime.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-22231

This section outlines the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in GitLab allows attackers to perform a denial of service attack on user profile pages. By manipulating usernames, attackers can block access to these pages, causing service disruption.

Affected Systems and Versions

GitLab CE/EE versions ranging from 8.0 to 14.0.2 are affected by CVE-2021-22231. Users with these versions should take immediate action to mitigate the risk.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers exploit this vulnerability by crafting usernames in a specific way that triggers the denial of service condition. This manipulation disrupts normal user access to profile pages.

Mitigation and Prevention

In response to CVE-2021-22231, users are recommended to take immediate action and implement long-term security best practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Affected users should update their GitLab installations to versions that include patches for CVE-2021-22231. Additionally, monitoring user profile page access can help detect anomalous behavior.

Long-Term Security Practices

To enhance security posture, organizations should regularly update their GitLab instances, educate users on safe practices, and conduct periodic security assessments.

Patching and Updates

GitLab has released patches for the CVE-2021-22231 vulnerability in versions 13.11.6, 13.12.6, and 14.0.2. Users are advised to apply these patches promptly to prevent exploitation.