CVE-2022-0371 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This article provides detailed information about CVE-2022-0371, a vulnerability found in GitLab that affects versions starting from 11.4 before 14.5.4, 14.6 before 14.6.4, and 14.7 before 14.7.1.

Understanding CVE-2022-0371

CVE-2022-0371 is a vulnerability in GitLab that allows authenticated users to search other users by their private emails, bypassing privacy settings.

What is CVE-2022-0371?

An issue in GitLab CE/EE allows users to search for others using private emails despite privacy settings, impacting versions from 11.4 to 14.7.1.

The Impact of CVE-2022-0371

The vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access to user information through email searches, compromising user privacy in affected GitLab versions.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-0371

The vulnerability is rated with a CVSS base score of 4.3, indicating a medium severity level.

Vulnerability Description

GitLab's search feature permits authenticated users to search for other users using their private email addresses, even if those emails are set to private.

Affected Systems and Versions

GitLab versions starting from 11.4 before 14.5.4, 14.6 before 14.6.4, and 14.7 before 14.7.1 are affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

The issue arises from a flaw in the search functionality of GitLab, allowing users to bypass email privacy settings.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2022-0371, immediate action and long-term security measures are essential.

Immediate Steps to Take

GitLab users should update to versions 14.5.4, 14.6.4, and 14.7.1 or later to mitigate the vulnerability. Additionally, users can review and adjust privacy settings.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly updating GitLab instances and monitoring security advisories can help prevent future vulnerabilities and enhance overall security posture.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about GitLab security updates and apply patches promptly to protect systems and data from potential exploits.