GitLab AI Gateway: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements Used in a Template Engine
CVE-2026-1868 is a critical-severity improper neutralization of special elements used in a template engine vulnerability in GitLab AI Gateway from GitLab, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.9 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 18.6.2, 18.7.1, 18.8.1 as the first without the flaw, so updating GitLab AI Gateway to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.7% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 54% of scored CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Update GitLab AI Gateway to 18.6.2 or 18.7.1 or 18.8.1, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| GitLab | GitLab AI Gateway | 18.1.6 up to, but not including, 18.6.2; 18.7.0 up to, but not including, 18.7.1; 18.8.0 up to, but not including, 18.8.1 | 18.6.2, 18.7.1, 18.8.1 |
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
- 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:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (gitlab.com).
Official description
GitLab has remediated a vulnerability in the Duo Workflow Service component of GitLab AI Gateway affecting all versions of the AI Gateway from 18.1.6, 18.2.6, 18.3.1 to 18.6.1, 18.7.0, and 18.8.0 in which AI Gateway was vulnerable to insecure template expansion of user supplied data via crafted Duo Agent Platform Flow definitions. This vulnerability could be used to cause Denial of Service or gain code execution on the Gateway. This has been fixed in versions 18.6.2, 18.7.1, and 18.8.1 of the GitLab AI Gateway.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements Used in a Template Engine
The product uses a template engine to insert or process externally-influenced input, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements or syntax that can be interpreted as template expressions or other code directives when processed by the engine.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Choose a template engine that offers a sandbox or restricted mode, or at least limits the power of any available expressions, function calls, or commands.
- Use the template engine's sandbox or restricted mode, if available.
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
Other vulnerabilities in GitLab AI Gateway
- 9.9 Critical severity
- 9.6 Critical severity
- 8.2 High severity
Recent Improper Neutralization of Special Elements Used in a Template Engine vulnerabilities
- 7.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
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