CVE-2022-4331 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

An issue has been discovered in GitLab EE affecting all versions starting from 15.1 before 15.7.8, all versions starting from 15.8 before 15.8.4, all versions starting from 15.9 before 15.9.2. If a group with SAML SSO enabled is transferred to a new namespace as a child group, it's possible previously removed malicious maintainer or owner of the child group can still gain access to the group via SSO or a SCIM token to perform actions on the group.

Understanding CVE-2022-4331

This section provides details about the CVE-2022-4331 vulnerability in GitLab EE.

What is CVE-2022-4331?

CVE-2022-4331 is a vulnerability in GitLab EE that allows a previously removed malicious user to gain unauthorized access to a group with SAML SSO enabled.

The Impact of CVE-2022-4331

The impact of CVE-2022-4331 includes unauthorized access by a removed user, potentially leading to security breaches and unauthorized actions within the affected group.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-4331

This section outlines the technical details of the CVE-2022-4331 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from improper access control in GitLab EE, specifically related to the transfer of groups with SAML SSO enabled to new namespaces.

Affected Systems and Versions

GitLab EE versions starting from 15.1 before 15.7.8, 15.8 before 15.8.4, and 15.9 before 15.9.2 are affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

A previously removed malicious maintainer or owner of a child group can exploit this vulnerability to gain access to the group via SSO or a SCIM token.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2022-4331, organizations can take the following steps.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update GitLab EE to versions 15.7.8, 15.8.4, or 15.9.2 or newer to mitigate the vulnerability.
Review and update access controls for groups with SAML SSO enabled.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly review and audit group memberships and access levels within GitLab EE.
Educate administrators and users on proper group management practices.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by GitLab, and promptly apply them to ensure the security of your GitLab EE instance.