CVE-2021-22236 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability in GitLab versions >=14.1, <14.1.2 allowed new subscriptions to generate OAuth tokens on an incorrect OAuth client application due to improper handling of OAuth client IDs.

Understanding CVE-2021-22236

This CVE highlights an improper authorization issue in GitLab that impacted versions since 14.1.

What is CVE-2021-22236?

The vulnerability in GitLab resulted in the incorrect generation of OAuth tokens for new subscriptions due to mishandling of OAuth client IDs.

The Impact of CVE-2021-22236

With a CVSS base score of 5.4, this medium-severity vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access and misuse of OAuth tokens in affected versions of GitLab.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-22236

This section delves into the specifics of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw stemmed from improper handling of OAuth client IDs, leading to the misgeneration of OAuth tokens for new subscriptions on an incorrect OAuth client.

Affected Systems and Versions

GitLab versions >=14.1 and <14.1.2 were affected by this vulnerability, impacting both GitLab CE and EE.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability required a low attack complexity and privileges, with user interaction being necessary for successful exploitation.

Mitigation and Prevention

Discover the steps to mitigate and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2021-22236.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update affected GitLab instances to version 14.1.2 or higher to remediate this vulnerability and prevent unauthorized OAuth token generation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and update GitLab instances to ensure the latest security patches and fixes are applied to prevent similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates from GitLab and promptly apply patches to maintain a secure GitLab environment.