Critical GitLab Vulnerability CVE-2024-9164: Urgent Mitigation for High-Risk CI/CD Exploit

Executive Summary

A critical vulnerability, identified as CVE-2024-9164, has been discovered in GitLab, affecting both the Community Edition (CE) and Enterprise Edition (EE). This flaw allows unauthorized users to execute Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) pipelines on any branch of a repository, potentially leading to unauthorized code execution or access to sensitive information. With a CVSS score of 9.6, this vulnerability is of high severity and demands immediate attention from organizations utilizing GitLab across various sectors.

Technical Information

The CVE-2024-9164 vulnerability stems from improper handling of branch protections within GitLab. This flaw permits unauthorized users to bypass these protections, enabling them to trigger CI/CD pipelines on any branch. The implications of this vulnerability are significant, as it can lead to unauthorized code execution within the pipeline environment. This not only poses a risk of data breaches but also threatens the integrity of the software development lifecycle by potentially introducing malicious code into production environments.

GitLab's CI/CD pipelines are integral to automating the software development process, allowing for seamless integration and deployment of code changes. However, the exploitation of this vulnerability could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code, access sensitive data, or disrupt the CI/CD process. The vulnerability affects a wide range of GitLab versions, specifically the Enterprise Edition versions from 12.5 up to 17.2.8, versions 17.3 up to 17.3.4, and versions 17.4 up to 17.4.1.

The vulnerability is particularly concerning due to GitLab's widespread use across various industries, including technology, finance, healthcare, and government sectors. Organizations relying on GitLab for their CI/CD processes must be vigilant and proactive in addressing this security flaw to prevent potential exploitation.

Exploitation in the Wild

As of the latest reports, there is no evidence of active exploitation of CVE-2024-9164 in the wild. However, given the critical nature of the flaw and the potential impact on affected systems, it is imperative for users to apply the available patches promptly. The absence of known exploitation should not lead to complacency, as threat actors may still be developing exploits to take advantage of this vulnerability.

APT Groups using this vulnerability

Currently, there is no specific information on Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) groups exploiting this vulnerability. However, the critical nature of CVE-2024-9164 makes it an attractive target for APT groups seeking to compromise CI/CD environments across various sectors. Organizations should remain vigilant and monitor for any signs of exploitation by APT groups.

Affected Product Versions

The CVE-2024-9164 vulnerability affects the following GitLab versions: Enterprise Edition versions from 12.5 up to 17.2.8, versions 17.3 up to 17.3.4, and versions 17.4 up to 17.4.1. Users of these versions are strongly advised to update to the patched versions to mitigate the risk of exploitation.

Workaround and Mitigation

To address the CVE-2024-9164 vulnerability, GitLab has released patches in the following versions: 17.4.2, 17.3.5, and 17.2.9. Users are strongly advised to update to these versions immediately to protect their systems from potential exploitation. In addition to applying patches, organizations should review their CI/CD pipeline configurations and ensure that branch protections are properly implemented and enforced.

References

For further information on the CVE-2024-9164 vulnerability and the available patches, please refer to the following resources: BleepingComputer Article on GitLab Vulnerability and GitLab Security Release Notes.

Rescana is here for you

At Rescana, we are committed to helping our customers navigate the complex landscape of cybersecurity threats. Our Continuous Threat and Exposure Management (CTEM) platform is designed to provide comprehensive visibility into your organization's security posture, enabling you to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities effectively. Should you have any questions about this report or any other cybersecurity concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us at ops@rescana.com. We are here to support you in safeguarding your digital assets.