CVE-2022-3740 : What You Need to Know

An issue has been discovered in GitLab CE/EE affecting all versions starting from 12.9 prior to 15.3.5, 15.4 prior to 15.4.4, and 15.5 prior to 15.5.2. A group owner may be able to bypass External Authorization check, if it is enabled, to access git repositories and package registries by using Deploy tokens or Deploy keys.

Understanding CVE-2022-3740

This section delves into the details of CVE-2022-3740 and its implications.

What is CVE-2022-3740?

CVE-2022-3740 is a vulnerability in GitLab CE/EE versions that allows a group owner to bypass External Authorization checks, potentially leading to unauthorized access to git repositories and package registries.

The Impact of CVE-2022-3740

The vulnerability poses a medium risk with high confidentiality and integrity impacts. An attacker with the privilege level of a group owner can exploit this issue to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information within GitLab.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-3740

This section provides a deeper dive into the technical aspects of CVE-2022-3740.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from improper access control in GitLab, specifically in versions ranging from 12.9 to 15.5.2. By leveraging Deploy tokens or Deploy keys, a group owner can circumvent External Authorization checks.

Affected Systems and Versions

GitLab versions that are impacted include >=12.9, <15.4.6, >=15.5, <15.5.5, and >=15.6, <15.6.1. Users of these versions are at risk of exploitation.

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploit involves a group owner utilizing Deploy tokens or Deploy keys to bypass External Authorization checks, granting unauthorized access to git repositories and package registries.

Mitigation and Prevention

In response to CVE-2022-3740, users should take immediate action to secure their GitLab instances and prevent potential unauthorized access.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade GitLab to the latest patched version to mitigate the vulnerability.
Review and adjust External Authorization settings to minimize risks of bypass.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor GitLab security advisories and apply patches promptly.
Educate users on best practices for handling Deploy tokens and keys to prevent misuse.

Patching and Updates

GitLab has released patches for the affected versions. It is critical to apply these patches promptly to close the vulnerability gap.