CVE-2023-3385 : What You Need to Know

This CVE was assigned by GitLab and was published on August 1, 2023. It involves an issue in GitLab that affects versions starting from 8.10 before 16.0.8, versions starting from 16.1 before 16.1.3, and versions starting from 16.2 before 16.2.2. The vulnerability allows a user to access and read unrelated files under specific circumstances when importing a project 'from export'.

Understanding CVE-2023-3385

This section delves deeper into the specifics of CVE-2023-3385 regarding its description, impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-3385?

CVE-2023-3385 involves an improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory ('Path Traversal') in GitLab, leading to unauthorized access to and reading of unrelated files by a user uploading a specially crafted file during project import.

The Impact of CVE-2023-3385

The impact of this CVE is significant as it allows malicious actors to access sensitive information stored in unrelated files, potentially compromising the confidentiality of data.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-3385

This section outlines the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism associated with CVE-2023-3385.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from a bug in

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in GitLab versions as specified, enabling unauthorized file access during project importation.

Affected Systems and Versions

GitLab versions starting from 8.10 before 16.0.8, 16.1 before 16.1.3, and 16.2 before 16.2.2 are affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

By uploading a specially crafted file during project import, a user can exploit the vulnerability to access and read unrelated files, exploiting the path traversal limitation.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-3385 and prevent its exploitation, specific immediate steps and long-term security practices are outlined below.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to upgrade their GitLab installations to versions 16.2.2, 16.1.3, 16.0.8, or above to mitigate the vulnerability and prevent unauthorized file access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Maintaining up-to-date software versions, implementing access controls, and regularly reviewing permissions can enhance the security posture of GitLab instances and prevent similar path traversal vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Regularly monitoring vendor security advisories and promptly applying patches and updates released by GitLab can help mitigate potential security risks and enhance the overall security of the GitLab platform.