CVE-2021-22257 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This article provides detailed information about CVE-2021-22257, a vulnerability affecting GitLab versions 14.0 up to 14.2.2. Learn about the impact, technical details, and mitigation steps to secure your systems.

Understanding CVE-2021-22257

CVE-2021-22257 is a vulnerability in GitLab versions 14.0 to 14.2.2 that exposes user enumeration due to an unrestricted route (/user.keys) on instances with disabled public visibility.

What is CVE-2021-22257?

An issue in GitLab versions 14.0 to 14.2.2 allows unauthorized user enumeration by not restricting the /user.keys route on instances with public visibility disabled.

The Impact of CVE-2021-22257

This vulnerability could lead to information exposure as attackers can enumerate users on instances with disabled public visibility, posing a risk to user privacy and security.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-22257

Learn more about the technical aspects of the vulnerability to better understand its implications and how it can be exploited.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the lack of restriction on the /user.keys route in GitLab instances with public visibility disabled, enabling user enumeration.

Affected Systems and Versions

GitLab versions 14.0 to 14.2.2 are affected by this vulnerability, starting from 14.0 before 14.0.9, 14.1 before 14.1.4, and 14.2 before 14.2.2.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by accessing the unrestricted /user.keys route on instances with public visibility disabled to enumerate users without authorization.

Mitigation and Prevention

Discover the steps you can take to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-22257 and protect your GitLab instances.

Immediate Steps to Take

Ensure that public visibility is enabled on GitLab instances to restrict the /user.keys route and prevent unauthorized user enumeration.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and update your GitLab installation, implement access controls, and follow security best practices to enhance system security.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches released by GitLab promptly to address vulnerabilities like CVE-2021-22257 and keep your systems secure.