CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2022-4037NVD status: Modified

GitLab: Concurrent Execution using Shared Resource with Improper Synchronization

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2022-4037 is a high-severity concurrent execution using shared resource with improper synchronization vulnerability in GitLab, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. Affected GitLab versions: >=0.0, <15.5.7; >=15.6, <15.6.4; >=15.7, <15.7.2. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.68% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 53% of scored CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Check which version of GitLab you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
  2. Read the advisory on gitlab.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
GitLabGitLab>=0.0, <15.5.7; >=15.6, <15.6.4; >=15.7, <15.7.2Not stated

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.

How the severity score breaks down

Attack vector
NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
Attack complexity
HighSuccess depends on conditions outside the attacker's control.
Privileges required
LowA basic user account is enough.
User interaction
NoneNo action by a victim is required.
Scope
ChangedThe attack can reach beyond the vulnerable component into other systems.
Confidentiality
HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
Integrity
HighData or code can be modified at will.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.

Scoring systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 3.16.4MediumCNA (gitlab.com)
CVSS 3.18.5HighNVD

Official description

An issue has been discovered in GitLab CE/EE affecting all versions before 15.5.7, all versions starting from 15.6 before 15.6.4, all versions starting from 15.7 before 15.7.2. A race condition can lead to verified email forgery and takeover of third-party accounts when using GitLab as an OAuth provider.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Concurrent Execution using Shared Resource with Improper Synchronization

The product contains a concurrent code sequence that requires temporary, exclusive access to a shared resource, but a timing window exists in which the shared resource can be modified by another code sequence operating concurrently.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • In languages that support it, use synchronization primitives. Only wrap these around critical code to minimize the impact on performance.
  • Use thread-safe capabilities such as the data access abstraction in Spring.
  • Minimize the usage of shared resources in order to remove as much complexity as possible from the control flow and to reduce the likelihood of unexpected conditions occurring. Additionally, this will minimize the amount of synchronization necessary and may even help to reduce the likelihood of a denial of service where an attacker may be able to repeatedly trigger a critical section (CWE-400).

More Concurrent Execution using Shared Resource with Improper Synchronization vulnerabilities (CWE-362)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Third-party and government advisories

Other vulnerabilities in GitLab

All GitLab vulnerabilities

Recent Concurrent Execution using Shared Resource with Improper Synchronization vulnerabilities

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