GitLab: Privilege Context Switching Error
CVE-2024-8641 is a high-severity privilege context switching error vulnerability in GitLab, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 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. The record lists versions 17.1.7, 17.2.5, 17.3.2 as the first without the flaw, so updating GitLab to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.58% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update GitLab to 17.1.7 or 17.2.5 or 17.3.2, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| GitLab | GitLab | 13.7 up to, but not including, 17.1.7; 17.2 up to, but not including, 17.2.5; 17.3 up to, but not including, 17.3.2 | 17.1.7, 17.2.5, 17.3.2 |
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
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- 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:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 6.7 | Medium | CNA (gitlab.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.8 | High | NVD |
Official description
An issue has been discovered in GitLab CE/EE affecting all versions starting from 13.7 prior to 17.1.7, from 17.2 prior to 17.2.5, and from 17.3 prior to 17.3.2. It may have been possible for an attacker with a victim's CI_JOB_TOKEN to obtain a GitLab session token belonging to the victim.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Privilege Context Switching Error
The product does not properly manage privileges while it is switching between different contexts that have different privileges or spheres of control.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Very carefully manage the setting, management, and handling of privileges. Explicitly manage trust zones in the software.
- Run your code using the lowest privileges that are required to accomplish the necessary tasks. If possible, create isolated accounts with limited privileges that are only used for a single task. That way, a successful attack will not immediately give the attacker access to the rest of the software or its environment. For example, database applications rarely need to run as the database administrator, especially in day-to-day operations.
- Consider following the principle of separation of privilege. Require multiple conditions to be met before permitting access to a system resource.
More Privilege Context Switching Error vulnerabilities (CWE-270)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
Other references
- hackerone.com/reports/2595495Permissions Required
Other vulnerabilities in GitLab
- 7.1 High severity
- 8.2 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 10.0 Critical severity
- 10.0 Critical severity
- 7.3 High severity
Recent Privilege Context Switching Error vulnerabilities
- 8.8 High severity
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