CVE-2022-0090 : What You Need to Know

An in-depth look at CVE-2022-0090 affecting GitLab versions prior to 14.4.5, between 14.5.0 and 14.5.3, and between 14.6.0 and 14.6.1, allowing malicious commits in the UI.

Understanding CVE-2022-0090

This section covers the impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies related to CVE-2022-0090.

What is CVE-2022-0090?

CVE-2022-0090 affects GitLab versions before 14.4.5, between 14.5.0 and 14.5.3, and between 14.6.0 and 14.6.1. It allows users to spoof commit contents in the GitLab UI.

The Impact of CVE-2022-0090

With a CVSS base score of 6.5, this vulnerability poses a medium risk, impacting the integrity of commits in affected GitLab versions.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-0090

Understanding how the vulnerability manifests and its implications.

Vulnerability Description

GitLab is susceptible to replacement references with git sub-commands, enabling malicious users to modify commit contents displayed in the UI.

Affected Systems and Versions

GitLab versions earlier than 14.4.5, between 14.5.0 and 14.5.3, and between 14.6.0 and 14.6.1 are vulnerable to this exploit.

Exploitation Mechanism

The issue arises from GitLab's failure to ignore replacement references, allowing the manipulation of commit information by exploiting git sub-commands.

Mitigation and Prevention

Guidelines to address and safeguard systems against CVE-2022-0090.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade affected GitLab installations to versions 14.4.5, 14.5.3, or 14.6.1 to mitigate the vulnerability and prevent unauthorized commit alterations.

Long-Term Security Practices

Enforce secure coding practices, conduct regular security audits, and educate users to recognize and report suspicious activities to enhance overall system security.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security patches released by GitLab and promptly apply updates to ensure systems are protected against known vulnerabilities.