CVE-2025-13781
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows authenticated users in GitLab EE to modify instance-wide AI feature provider settings due to missing authorization checks in GraphQL mutations. It affects GitLab EE versions 18.5 before 18.5.5, 18.6 before 18.6.3, and 18.7 before 18.7.1. Attackers could potentially alter AI service configurations, affecting all users on the instance.
💻 Affected Systems
- GitLab EE
📦 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 →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
An attacker could reconfigure AI providers to use malicious endpoints, potentially intercepting sensitive data, poisoning AI responses, or causing service disruption across the entire GitLab instance.
Likely Case
Unauthorized modification of AI provider settings leading to service misconfiguration, potential data exposure through redirected AI queries, or disruption of AI-powered features.
If Mitigated
Limited to authenticated users only; proper access controls and monitoring would detect unauthorized configuration changes before significant impact.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires authenticated access and knowledge of GraphQL mutation endpoints. No public exploit code has been released.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 18.5.5, 18.6.3, or 18.7.1
Vendor Advisory: https://about.gitlab.com/releases/2026/01/07/patch-release-gitlab-18-7-1-released/
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Backup your GitLab instance. 2. Update to GitLab EE 18.5.5, 18.6.3, or 18.7.1 depending on your current version. 3. Restart GitLab services. 4. Verify the update was successful.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable GraphQL mutations for AI settings
allTemporarily restrict access to GraphQL mutations related to AI provider configuration
# Requires GitLab administrator access to modify application settings
Restrict user permissions
allReview and tighten user permissions, especially for users who shouldn't have administrative capabilities
# Review user roles and permissions in GitLab Admin Area
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls and monitor for unauthorized configuration changes to AI settings
- Disable AI features entirely if not required for operations
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check GitLab version via Admin Area or command line. If version is 18.5.0-18.5.4, 18.6.0-18.6.2, or 18.7.0, the instance is vulnerable.Check Version:
sudo gitlab-rake gitlab:env:info | grep 'GitLab Version'Verify Fix Applied:
After patching, verify version is 18.5.5, 18.6.3, or 18.7.1. Test that only authorized administrators can modify AI provider settings.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unauthorized GraphQL mutation attempts to modify AI settings
- Changes to AI provider configuration by non-admin users
Network Indicators:
- Unusual GraphQL API requests to AI-related endpoints
SIEM Query:
source="gitlab" AND (graphql_mutation="updateAiProvider" OR graphql_mutation="modifyAiSettings") AND user_role!="admin"