CVE-2021-39895 : What You Need to Know

CVE-2021-39895 is a vulnerability in GitLab that allows an attacker to set pipeline schedules to be active in a project export, potentially leading to information disclosure if imported from an untrusted source.

Understanding CVE-2021-39895

CVE-2021-39895 affects versions of GitLab from 8.0 to 14.3.1.

What is CVE-2021-39895?

In all versions of GitLab CE/EE since version 8.0, an attacker can set the pipeline schedules to be active in a project export so when an unsuspecting owner imports that project, pipelines are active by default on that project. This could lead to information disclosure in certain scenarios.

The Impact of CVE-2021-39895

The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 6/10 (Medium severity), with high confidentiality and integrity impact. The attack complexity is high, and user interaction is required.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-39895

CVE-2021-39895 has the following technical details:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows an attacker to activate pipeline schedules in a project export, potentially causing information disclosure upon import.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Product: GitLab
Affected Versions:
=8.0, <14.1.7

=14.2, <14.2.5

=14.3, <14.3.1

Exploitation Mechanism

The attacker can exploit this vulnerability by manipulating pipeline schedules during project exports.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is essential to take immediate action to mitigate the risks posed by CVE-2021-39895.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update GitLab to a non-vulnerable version.
Exercise caution while importing projects, especially from untrusted sources.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch GitLab to the latest version.
Educate users on the risks of importing projects with active pipelines by default.

Patching and Updates

GitLab has released patches to address this vulnerability. Update to the latest version to safeguard against potential exploits.