CVE-2023-2442 Cross-site scripting in GitLab

High 8.7 Published 7 Jun 2023 Updated 7 Jan 2025

Attackers can execute arbitrary scripts in victims' browsers via crafted merge requests, potentially taking over accounts.

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-2023-2442?

CVE-2023-2442 is a high-severity cross-site scripting vulnerability in Gitlab Gitlab, published on 7 Jun 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 CE/EE affecting all versions starting from 15.11 before 15.11.7, all versions starting from 16.0 before 16.0.2. A specially crafted merge request could lead to a stored XSS on the client side which allows attackers to perform arbitrary actions on behalf of victims.

Weakness: CWE-79

Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-2442?

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

Package	Affected	Fixed in
`gitlab` Bitnami	From `15.11.0`	`15.11.7, 16.0.2`

Products include Gitlab Gitlab.

How do I fix CVE-2023-2442?

Upgrade gitlab to a fixed version for your release line: 15.11.7 or 16.0.2.

Escape output for the context it lands in and set a strict Content Security Policy. Upgrading the affected component is the real fix. More about Cross-site scripting.

Is CVE-2023-2442 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2023-2442 exists.

All Gitlab Gitlab vulnerabilities

Sources

Also known as BIT-gitlab-2023-2442, GHSA-8f3h-5jcr-r8cm, UBUNTU-CVE-2023-2442.