Threat update

 A critical vulnerability in GitLab, labeled CVE-2023-7028, is under active attack by threat actors to achieve account takeover, as reported by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).

Technical Detail and Additional Info

What is the threat?

CVE-2023-7028 is a severe vulnerability impacting GitLab accounts, a widely used DevOps tool. By exploiting this vulnerability, threat actors can take control of the GitLab administrator account without any user interaction. The flaw lies in the management of emails during password resets. An attacker can provide two email addresses, and the reset code will be sent to both. 

Why is it noteworthy?

 This vulnerability is noteworthy due to its critical nature and widespread impact potential. GitLab is utilized by numerous organizations worldwide for source code management, CI/CD pipelines, and collaboration among development teams. As such, any exploit in GitLab poses a substantial risk to the security and integrity of software development workflows.

What is the exposure or risk?

The risk posed by CVE-2023-7028 is significant. If exploited, threat actors can perform account takeovers which can lead to unauthorized code changes, data exfiltration, and even sabotage of software development projects. The exploit also has the potential to disrupt critical business operations and damage an organization's reputation. 

What are the recommendations?

 LBT Technology Group recommends the following actions to limit the impact of risk posed by CVE-2023-7028:

Understanding these key factors is crucial for organizations to effectively mitigate the risk posed by CVE-2023-7028 and prevent account takeovers. Implementing security best practices such as patching vulnerabilities promptly, enforcing strict access controls, and monitoring for suspicious activity can help organizations defend against such attacks.

• Apply patches provided by GitLab Inc. to address the vulnerability immediately. Regularly monitor for security updates and apply them promptly to ensure that systems are protected.
• Enforce strict access controls within GitLab, limiting user privileges to only those necessary for their roles. Implement role-based access control to restrict access to sensitive functionalities and data, reducing the likelihood of unauthorized account takeovers.
• Enable MFA for all GitLab user accounts to add an extra layer of security.
• Implement comprehensive logging and monitoring solutions to detect suspicious activities within GitLab environments. Monitor for signs of unauthorized access, unusual user behavior, or attempts to exploit known vulnerabilities.
• Educate users about security best practices, including the importance of strong passwords, phishing awareness, and the risks associated with unauthorized access.
• Develop and maintain an incident response plan specifically tailored to address security incidents related to GitLab vulnerabilities. Define roles and responsibilities, establish communication channels, and rehearse incident response procedures regularly.

Understanding these key factors is crucial for organizations to effectively mitigate the risk posed by CVE-2023-7028 and prevent account takeovers. Implementing security best practices such as patching vulnerabilities promptly, enforcing strict access controls, and monitoring for suspicious activity can help organizations defend against such attacks.

References

 For more in-depth information about the recommendations, please visit the following links:

• https://www.darkreading.com/application-security/critical-gitlab-bug-exploit-account-takeover-cisa
  
• https://thehackernews.com/2024/05/cisa-warns-of-active-exploitation-of.html

If you have any questions, please contact LBT's Sales Engineer.