# CVE-2026-61560: @zereight/mcp-gitlab: Unauthenticated arbitrary file read via `upload_markdown` enables PAT exfiltration and full account takeover

> Unauthenticated attackers can read arbitrary files to steal GitLab tokens and take over accounts via the upload_markdown tool in the MCP server.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.8 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 15 Sep 2026
- **Updated:** 16 Sep 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-cv3r-c5h8-f4g5

## What is CVE-2026-61560?

CVE-2026-61560 is a critical path traversal vulnerability in zereight gitlab-mcp, published on 15 Sep 2026. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

`@zereight/mcp-gitlab` is a Model Context Protocol server for GitLab. Prior to version 2.1.27, the SSE transport mode (`SSE=true`) exposes all MCP tools without any authentication. The `upload_markdown` tool reads arbitrary files from the server's local filesystem via an unsanitized `file_path` parameter and uploads them to a GitLab project. Combined, any unauthenticated network-reachable attacker can read `/proc/self/environ` to steal the server's `GITLAB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN` and achieve full GitLab account takeover. This is the default configuration for Docker deployments. Version 2.1.27 contains a patch.

Weakness: CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-61560?

2 open source packages ship an affected version, including @zereight/mcp-gitlab.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `@zereight/mcp-gitlab` | npm | All versions | 2.1.27 |
| `@zereight/mcp-gitlab` | npm | All versions | 2.1.27 |

## How do I fix CVE-2026-61560?

Upgrade @zereight/mcp-gitlab to 2.1.27 or later.

## Is CVE-2026-61560 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2026-61560 exists.

Public exploit code:

- GitLab MCP Server < 2.1.27 - Unauthenticated SSE Transport Access (nuclei): http/cves/2026/CVE-2026-61560.yaml

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2026-61560 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2026-61560 is a critical path traversal vulnerability in zereight gitlab-mcp, published on 15 Sep 2026. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2026-61560 exists.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- @zereight/mcp-gitlab (npm): affected all versions; fixed in 2.1.27
- @zereight/mcp-gitlab (npm): affected all versions; fixed in 2.1.27

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-61560/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-61560/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-61560
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-61560
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2026-61560

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-61560/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.