CVE-2024-5258
📋 TL;DR
An authenticated attacker can bypass pipeline authorization controls in GitLab by using specially crafted naming conventions. This vulnerability affects GitLab instances running versions 16.10 before 16.10.6, 16.11 before 16.11.3, and 17.0 before 17.0.1. Attackers with valid credentials could potentially execute unauthorized pipeline actions.
💻 Affected Systems
- GitLab
📦 What is this software?
Gitlab by Gitlab
GitLab is a complete DevOps platform providing source code management, CI/CD pipelines, security scanning, container registry, and collaboration tools used by millions of developers and thousands of enterprises worldwide. As both a cloud-hosted SaaS offering (GitLab.com) and self-managed software, G...
Learn more about Gitlab →Gitlab by Gitlab
GitLab is a complete DevOps platform providing source code management, CI/CD pipelines, security scanning, container registry, and collaboration tools used by millions of developers and thousands of enterprises worldwide. As both a cloud-hosted SaaS offering (GitLab.com) and self-managed software, G...
Learn more about Gitlab →Gitlab by Gitlab
GitLab is a complete DevOps platform providing source code management, CI/CD pipelines, security scanning, container registry, and collaboration tools used by millions of developers and thousands of enterprises worldwide. As both a cloud-hosted SaaS offering (GitLab.com) and self-managed software, G...
Learn more about Gitlab →Gitlab by Gitlab
GitLab is a complete DevOps platform providing source code management, CI/CD pipelines, security scanning, container registry, and collaboration tools used by millions of developers and thousands of enterprises worldwide. As both a cloud-hosted SaaS offering (GitLab.com) and self-managed software, G...
Learn more about Gitlab →Gitlab by Gitlab
GitLab is a complete DevOps platform providing source code management, CI/CD pipelines, security scanning, container registry, and collaboration tools used by millions of developers and thousands of enterprises worldwide. As both a cloud-hosted SaaS offering (GitLab.com) and self-managed software, G...
Learn more about Gitlab →Gitlab by Gitlab
GitLab is a complete DevOps platform providing source code management, CI/CD pipelines, security scanning, container registry, and collaboration tools used by millions of developers and thousands of enterprises worldwide. As both a cloud-hosted SaaS offering (GitLab.com) and self-managed software, G...
Learn more about Gitlab →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
An authenticated attacker could execute unauthorized pipeline operations, potentially leading to code execution, data exfiltration, or disruption of CI/CD workflows.
Likely Case
Attackers with existing access could bypass pipeline restrictions to run jobs they shouldn't have permission to execute, potentially accessing sensitive build artifacts or modifying deployment processes.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and monitoring, impact is limited to unauthorized pipeline execution within the attacker's existing access scope.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires authenticated access and knowledge of specific naming conventions to bypass authorization checks.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 16.10.6, 16.11.3, or 17.0.1
Vendor Advisory: https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/443254
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Backup your GitLab instance. 2. Update to GitLab 16.10.6, 16.11.3, or 17.0.1 depending on your current version. 3. Restart GitLab services. 4. Verify the update was successful.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict pipeline naming patterns
allImplement naming conventions that prevent the specific patterns used to exploit this vulnerability
Tighten pipeline permissions
allReview and restrict pipeline execution permissions to only necessary users
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls and review all pipeline execution permissions
- Monitor pipeline execution logs for unusual naming patterns or unauthorized activities
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check GitLab version via admin interface or command: sudo gitlab-rake gitlab:env:infoCheck Version:
sudo gitlab-rake gitlab:env:info | grep 'GitLab version'Verify Fix Applied:
Verify version is 16.10.6, 16.11.3, or 17.0.1 or later📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual pipeline naming patterns
- Pipeline executions by unauthorized users
- Failed authorization attempts for pipeline operations
Network Indicators:
- Unusual API calls to pipeline endpoints
- Patterns of pipeline creation with specific naming conventions
SIEM Query:
source="gitlab" AND (event="pipeline_created" OR event="pipeline_started") AND user NOT IN authorized_users