Description
An issue was discovered in GitLab CE/EE affecting all versions starting from 16.4 prior to 17.5.0 which allows an attacker to trigger a pipeline as another user under certain circumstances.
EPSS Score:
0%
Comprehensive Technical Analysis of EUVD-2025-4924
1. Vulnerability Assessment and Severity Evaluation
The vulnerability described in EUVD-2025-4924 affects GitLab CE/EE versions starting from 16.4 up to 17.5.0. This issue allows an attacker to trigger a pipeline as another user under certain circumstances. The CVSS (Common Vulnerability Scoring System) base score of 9.6 indicates a critical severity level. The CVSS vector CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:N breaks down as follows:
- AV:N (Attack Vector: Network): The vulnerability is exploitable over the network.
- AC:L (Attack Complexity: Low): The attack requires minimal skill or resources.
- PR:L (Privileges Required: Low): The attacker needs low-level privileges to exploit the vulnerability.
- UI:N (User Interaction: None): No user interaction is required for the attack to succeed.
- S:C (Scope: Changed): The vulnerability affects a component that is outside the security scope of the vulnerable component.
- C:H (Confidentiality: High): The vulnerability has a high impact on confidentiality.
- I:H (Integrity: High): The vulnerability has a high impact on integrity.
- A:N (Availability: None): The vulnerability does not impact availability.
2. Potential Attack Vectors and Exploitation Methods
Given the CVSS vector, potential attack vectors include:
- Network-Based Attacks: An attacker can exploit this vulnerability remotely over the network.
- Low Privilege Requirement: The attacker needs only low-level privileges, which could be obtained through social engineering, phishing, or other low-complexity methods.
- Automated Exploitation: The low complexity and lack of user interaction required suggest that automated scripts or bots could be used to exploit this vulnerability at scale.
Exploitation methods might involve:
- Triggering Pipelines: An attacker could manipulate the pipeline triggering mechanism to execute actions as another user.
- Privilege Escalation: By triggering pipelines as another user, the attacker could gain elevated privileges or access sensitive data.
3. Affected Systems and Software Versions
The vulnerability affects:
- GitLab CE/EE: All versions from 16.4 up to but not including 17.5.0.
Users and organizations running these versions are at risk and should prioritize updating to a patched version.
4. Recommended Mitigation Strategies
To mitigate the risk associated with this vulnerability, the following strategies are recommended:
- Update to the Latest Version: Upgrade GitLab CE/EE to version 17.5.0 or later, which includes the patch for this vulnerability.
- Access Controls: Implement strict access controls and monitor user activities to detect any unusual behavior.
- Network Segmentation: Segment the network to limit the attack surface and reduce the impact of a potential exploit.
- Regular Audits: Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments to identify and address potential security issues.
- User Education: Educate users about the risks of phishing and social engineering attacks to prevent low-privilege account compromises.
5. Impact on European Cybersecurity Landscape
The impact of this vulnerability on the European cybersecurity landscape is significant due to the widespread use of GitLab in both private and public sectors. Organizations relying on GitLab for version control and CI/CD pipelines are at risk of data breaches, unauthorized access, and potential disruption of development workflows. The high severity score underscores the need for immediate action to mitigate the risk.
6. Technical Details for Security Professionals
For security professionals, the following technical details are pertinent:
- Vulnerability Identification: The vulnerability is identified by CVE-2024-7102 and GHSA-j45p-g8pv-jg87.
- References: Additional information can be found at:
- Detection and Monitoring: Implement logging and monitoring to detect any unauthorized pipeline triggers. Use SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) tools to correlate events and identify potential exploitation attempts.
- Patch Management: Ensure that patch management processes are in place to quickly apply updates and patches as they become available.
In conclusion, EUVD-2025-4924 represents a critical vulnerability in GitLab that requires immediate attention. Organizations should prioritize updating to the latest version and implementing robust security measures to mitigate the risk. The European cybersecurity landscape must remain vigilant and proactive in addressing such vulnerabilities to maintain the integrity and security of digital infrastructure.