CVE-2023-3914 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This CVE involves a business logic error in GitLab EE that impacts all versions prior to 16.2.8, 16.3 prior to 16.3.5, and 16.4 prior to 16.4.1. The vulnerability allows unauthorized access to internal projects due to the failure to delete a service account when a namespace is deleted.

Understanding CVE-2023-3914

This section provides an overview of the critical aspects of CVE-2023-3914.

What is CVE-2023-3914?

CVE-2023-3914 is a business logic error in GitLab EE that enables access to internal projects when a service account is not deleted after a namespace deletion.

The Impact of CVE-2023-3914

The vulnerability in GitLab EE prior to versions 16.2.8, 16.3.5, and 16.4.1 could potentially lead to unauthorized access to internal projects, posing a risk to data confidentiality and integrity.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-3914

Explore the specific technical aspects of CVE-2023-3914 below.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from a business logic error in GitLab EE that fails to delete service accounts upon namespace deletion, thereby granting unauthorized access to internal projects.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: GitLab
Product: GitLab
Affected Versions:
Version 16.2.8 and earlier
Version 16.3.5 and earlier
Version 16.4.1 and earlier

Exploitation Mechanism

Unauthorized access to internal projects is achieved by retaining service accounts post-namespace deletion, allowing threat actors to exploit this oversight.

Mitigation and Prevention

Discover how to address and prevent the CVE-2023-3914 vulnerability effectively.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade GitLab EE to versions 16.4.1, 16.3.5, or 16.2.8 to mitigate the business logic error and prevent unauthorized access to internal projects.

Long-Term Security Practices

Adopt a robust access control policy and regular auditing to detect and rectify such business logic errors that could lead to unauthorized access within your GitLab instance.

Patching and Updates

Regularly monitor GitLab security advisories and promptly apply patches and updates to ensure that your system is protected against known vulnerabilities and exploits.