CVE-2021-22246 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability was discovered in GitLab versions before 14.0.2, 13.12.6, 13.11.6 that could allow the GitLab Webhook feature to be abused for denial of service attacks.

Understanding CVE-2021-22246

This CVE highlights a security flaw in GitLab versions prior to 14.0.2, 13.12.6, and 13.11.6, enabling potential denial of service via the GitLab Webhook feature.

What is CVE-2021-22246?

The CVE-2021-22246 vulnerability in GitLab allows threat actors to exploit the Webhook feature for launching denial of service attacks on affected systems.

The Impact of CVE-2021-22246

With a CVSS base score of 7.7 (High Severity), this vulnerability poses a significant risk by enabling attackers to disrupt the availability of GitLab systems without needing high privileges.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-22246

Here are the technical details surrounding the CVE-2021-22246 vulnerability in GitLab:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from GitLab versions before 14.0.2, 13.12.6, 13.11.6, where the Webhook feature can be maliciously exploited for denial of service attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

GitLab versions >=2.0, <13.11.6, >=13.12, <13.12.6, and >=14.0, <14.0.2 are impacted by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can abuse the GitLab Webhook feature in vulnerable versions to trigger denial of service attacks, impacting system availability.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard your GitLab environment from CVE-2021-22246, consider the following security measures:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update GitLab to versions 14.0.2, 13.12.6, or 13.11.6 to patch the vulnerability.
Monitor and restrict access to the Webhook feature to minimize attack surface.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch GitLab to address known vulnerabilities.
Implement network monitoring to detect and mitigate any suspicious activities promptly.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from GitLab, and promptly apply security updates to stay protected against potential threats.