CVE-2021-39879 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This CVE article provides details about a vulnerability in GitLab that allows attackers to disable two-factor authentication.

Understanding CVE-2021-39879

This section delves into the specifics of the CVE-2021-39879 vulnerability in GitLab.

What is CVE-2021-39879?

Missing authentication in all versions of GitLab CE/EE since version 7.11.0 enables attackers with access to a victim's session to disable two-factor authentication.

The Impact of CVE-2021-39879

The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 2.2, which is classified as low severity due to the attacker needing local access and user interaction.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-39879

This section provides a deeper dive into the technical aspects of the CVE-2021-39879 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

Type: Missing authentication for critical function in GitLab

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: GitLab
Vendor: GitLab
Versions Affected: >=7.11.0, <14.1.7

Exploitation Mechanism

Attack Complexity: High
Attack Vector: Local
Privileges Required: Low
User Interaction: Required

Mitigation and Prevention

In this section, we discuss steps to mitigate and prevent exploitation of CVE-2021-39879.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade GitLab to version 14.1.7 or higher
Enable additional security measures such as IP restrictions

Long-Term Security Practices

Educate users on secure authentication practices
Implement multi-factor authentication for enhanced security

Patching and Updates

Regularly update GitLab to the latest version
Monitor security advisories from GitLab for any future vulnerabilities