CVE-2023-0921 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This article provides detailed information about CVE-2023-0921, including its description, impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

Understanding CVE-2023-0921

CVE-2023-0921 is a vulnerability in GitLab CE/EE that affects multiple versions of the software. This vulnerability allows an authenticated attacker to exploit the system via GraphQL by creating a large Issue description, which can lead to CPU saturation.

What is CVE-2023-0921?

The lack of length validation in GitLab CE/EE versions before 15.10.8, 15.11.7, and 16.0.2 enables authenticated attackers to manipulate the system via GraphQL and cause CPU saturation by creating a large Issue description.

The Impact of CVE-2023-0921

The impact of CVE-2023-0921 is considered moderate, with a CVSS base score of 4.3 (Medium severity). The vulnerability allows attackers to consume resources of the affected system, affecting its performance and availability.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-0921

This section outlines specific technical details related to the CVE-2023-0921 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from a lack of length validation in GitLab CE/EE, enabling authenticated attackers to craft large Issue descriptions via GraphQL, leading to CPU saturation and resource consumption.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts GitLab versions ranging from 8.3 to 16.0.2, including versions 15.10.8, 15.11.7, and 16.0.2. Users of these versions are at risk of exploitation by authenticated attackers.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit CVE-2023-0921 by leveraging the lack of length validation in GitLab to create overly large Issue descriptions via GraphQL, causing CPU saturation and impacting system performance.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-0921 and prevent exploitation, users and organizations are advised to take the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update GitLab CE/EE to versions 15.10.8, 15.11.7, or 16.0.2 or newer to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor system performance for any signs of CPU saturation or resource consumption.
Implement access controls and monitoring to restrict unauthorized access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update GitLab to the latest stable versions to address security vulnerabilities.
Conduct security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address potential weaknesses.
Train users and administrators on secure coding practices and threat awareness.

Patching and Updates

GitLab users should prioritize applying security patches promptly and staying informed about security advisories to protect their systems from known vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-0921. Regularly checking for updates and implementing patches can help maintain system integrity and security.