CVE-2023-2182 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This CVE, assigned by GitLab, was published on May 3, 2023. It pertains to an issue in GitLab EE that affects versions 15.10 to 15.10.5 and versions 15.11 to 15.11.1, potentially leading to privilege escalation for certain users.

Understanding CVE-2023-2182

This section will delve into the details of CVE-2023-2182, including the vulnerability description, impact, affected systems, exploitation mechanism, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-2182?

CVE-2023-2182 is an issue in GitLab EE related to improper access control. When OpenID Connect is enabled, users marked as 'external' may gain 'regular' user privileges, allowing for potential privilege escalation.

The Impact of CVE-2023-2182

The impact of this CVE lies in the potential privilege escalation for users due to the misconfiguration related to OpenID Connect in GitLab EE. This could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information and functionalities within the system.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-2182

In this section, we will explore the technical aspects of CVE-2023-2182, including the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in GitLab EE allows 'external' users, under certain conditions with OpenID Connect enabled, to elevate their privileges to 'regular' users, leading to unauthorized access and potential privilege escalation within the system.

Affected Systems and Versions

GitLab EE versions 15.10 to 15.10.5 and versions 15.11 to 15.11.1 are affected by this vulnerability. Users utilizing these versions are at risk of privilege escalation if OpenID Connect is enabled.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by 'external' users leveraging the misconfiguration in the OpenID Connect settings to gain elevated permissions, potentially compromising the security and integrity of the GitLab EE instance.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section focuses on the necessary steps to mitigate and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2023-2182, ensuring the security of GitLab EE instances.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to upgrade their GitLab EE instances to versions 15.10.5 or 15.11.1, where the vulnerability has been patched. Additionally, review and adjust OpenID Connect configurations to prevent unauthorized privilege escalation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement robust access control mechanisms, regular security audits, and employee training on security best practices to enhance the overall security posture of the GitLab EE environment and prevent similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay vigilant for security updates and patches released by GitLab. Regularly update the GitLab EE instance to the latest versions to ensure that known vulnerabilities are addressed promptly, reducing the risk of exploitation.