CVE-2023-0120 Incorrect Authorization in GitLab

Low 3.5 Published 1 Sep 2023 Updated 20 Nov 2025

An unauthorized user can modify label descriptions in GitLab due to improper permission validation, requiring an upgrade to secure the instance.

Exploited in the wild: Not known
Login needed: Any signed-in user
Attackable: Over the internet
Victim action needed: A user has to click or open something
Fix: Available

What is CVE-2023-0120?

CVE-2023-0120 is a low-severity missing authorization vulnerability in Gitlab Gitlab, published on 1 Sep 2023. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

Official description

An issue has been discovered in GitLab affecting all versions starting from 10.0 before 16.1.5, all versions starting from 16.2 before 16.2.5, all versions starting from 16.3 before 16.3.1. Due to improper permission validation it was possible to edit labels description by an unauthorised user.

Weakness: CWE-863

Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-0120?

1 open source package ship an affected version, including gitlab. It affects 1 product.

Package	Affected	Fixed in
`gitlab` Bitnami	From `10.0.0`	`16.1.5, 16.2.5, 16.3.1`

Products include Gitlab Gitlab.

How do I fix CVE-2023-0120?

Upgrade gitlab to a fixed version for your release line: 16.1.5, 16.2.5 or 16.3.1.

Upgrade, and check permissions on every request on the server, not only in the interface. More about Missing authorization.

Is CVE-2023-0120 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2023-0120 exists.

All Gitlab Gitlab vulnerabilities

Sources

Also known as BIT-gitlab-2023-0120, GHSA-h3r9-rg3q-7f5f, UBUNTU-CVE-2023-0120.