CVE-2023-0921
MediumA lack of length validation in GitLab CE/EE affecting all versions from 8.3 before 15.10.8, 15.11 before 15.11.7, and 16.0 before 16.0.2 allows an authenticated attacker to create a large Issue description via GraphQL which, when repeatedly requested, saturates CPU usage.
Published Jun 7, 2023 · Updated Sep 8, 2026 · Also known as BIT-gitlab-2023-0921, TR-23-0329, UBUNTU-CVE-2023-0921
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2023-0921 is a medium-severity vulnerability (CVSS 4.3 v3.1) affecting GitLab.
- It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog. No public exploit code is known.
- EPSS estimates a 84% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including GitLab 15.10.8, GitLab 15.10.8+ds1-2, GitLab 15.11.7.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is very likely to be exploited soon.
CVSS v3.1
4.3
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
84%
Higher than 99.7% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
No known
Not in a known-exploited catalog
Public exploit code
None known
Get the full CVE-2023-0921 brief as a PDF
Every affected product and fixed release, exploitation status and a first 24 hours response checklist, emailed within minutes.
Description
A lack of length validation in GitLab CE/EE affecting all versions from 8.3 before 15.10.8, 15.11 before 15.11.7, and 16.0 before 16.0.2 allows an authenticated attacker to create a large Issue description via GraphQL which, when repeatedly requested, saturates CPU usage.
Affected Products
6 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| GitLabGitlab | >= 8.3.0, >= >=8.3, <15.10.8 | 15.10.8 |
Patched Releases
GitLab
15.10.8, 15.10.8+ds1-2, 15.11.7, 16.0.2
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Jun 7, 2023
Last updated
Sep 8, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-770 Allocation of Resources Without Limits or Throttling
References
- advisoryhttps://github.com/CVEProject/cvelistV5/tree/main/cves/2023/0xxx/CVE-2023-0921.json
- advisoryhttps://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/cves/-/blob/master/2023/CVE-2023-0921.json
- advisoryhttps://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/392433
- advisoryhttps://hackerone.com/reports/1869839
- advisoryhttps://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2023-0921
FAQ
Common Questions.
A lack of length validation in GitLab CE/EE affecting all versions from 8.3 before 15.10.8, 15.11 before 15.11.7, and 16.0 before 16.0.2 allows an authenticated attacker to create a large Issue description via GraphQL which, when repeatedly requested, saturates CPU usage.
Affected: GitLab versions >= 8.3.0, >= >=8.3, <15.10.8. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog.
No, it is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
No public exploit code is known.
Fixed versions are available, including GitLab 15.10.8, GitLab 15.10.8+ds1-2, GitLab 15.11.7.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is very likely to be exploited soon.
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