CVE-2022-2251 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A security vulnerability has been identified in GitLab Runner versions prior to 15.3.5, 15.4 prior to 15.4.4, and 15.5 prior to 15.5.2. This vulnerability could allow an attacker to execute commands in the runner by creating a branch with a specially crafted name.

Understanding CVE-2022-2251

This section will cover the essential details of CVE-2022-2251.

What is CVE-2022-2251?

The CVE-2022-2251 vulnerability involves improper sanitization of branch names in GitLab Runner, potentially leading to command execution in the runner. Attackers could exploit this by creating a branch with a malicious name and triggering a pipeline to execute commands in the context of another user.

The Impact of CVE-2022-2251

The impact of this vulnerability is rated as medium severity. An attacker could leverage this issue to execute arbitrary commands, compromising the integrity and confidentiality of the system. However, no availability impact is reported.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-2251

In this section, we will delve into the technical aspects of CVE-2022-2251.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability originates from improper sanitization of branch names, leading to command injection in GitLab Runner. Attackers can exploit this flaw to execute commands with the privileges of another user.

Affected Systems and Versions

GitLab Runner versions prior to 15.3.5, 15.4 prior to 15.4.4, and 15.5 prior to 15.5.2 are affected by CVE-2022-2251. Users of these versions are advised to take immediate action to mitigate the risk.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by manipulating branch names in GitLab Runner to inject and execute arbitrary commands. By abusing this flaw, an attacker can gain unauthorized access to the system and potentially compromise sensitive data.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section focuses on the steps to mitigate and prevent CVE-2022-2251.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are recommended to update GitLab Runner to versions 15.3.5, 15.4.4, or 15.5.2 and above to address the vulnerability. Additionally, it is crucial to monitor branch names for any suspicious or malicious content.

Long-Term Security Practices

To enhance security posture, organizations should implement secure coding practices, conduct regular security audits, and educate users on identifying and reporting security issues promptly.

Patching and Updates

Regularly applying patches and updates provided by GitLab for GitLab Runner is essential to ensure that known vulnerabilities are addressed promptly and system security is maintained.