GitLab AI Gateway: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements Used in a Template Engine
CVE-2026-90970 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 19.2.4, 19.3.2, 19.4.1 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 17.5% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is in the top 2.82% of all scored CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Update GitLab AI Gateway to 19.2.4 or 19.3.2 or 19.4.1, 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, 19.2.4; 19.3 up to, but not including, 19.3.2; 19.4 up to, but not including, 19.4.1 | 19.2.4, 19.3.2, 19.4.1 |
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 GitLab AI Gateway component affecting all versions of the AI Gateway from 18.1.6 before 19.2.4, 19.3 before 19.3.2, and 19.4 before 19.4.1 that, under certain conditions, could have allowed an authenticated user with Duo Agent Platform access to escape the prompt template sandbox via a specially crafted flow configuration, resulting in arbitrary command execution on the 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).
References
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in GitLab AI Gateway
- 9.6 Critical severity
- 8.2 High severity
- 9.9 Critical severity
Recent Improper Neutralization of Special Elements Used in a Template Engine vulnerabilities
- 7.2 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 10.0 Critical severity
- 7.6 High severity
- 8.0 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
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