CVE-2021-22205

Name: CVE-2021-22205
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2021-04-23T18:15:08.167+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

CRITICALCVSS 10/10Actively ExploitedEPSS 99.73%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2021-22205 is a critical-severity vulnerability rated 10/10 on the CVSS scale. An issue has been discovered in GitLab CE/EE affecting all versions starting from 11.9. GitLab was not properly validating image files that were passed to a file parser which resulted in a remote command execution.. CISA has confirmed active exploitation in the wild. EPSS estimates a 99.73% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

An issue has been discovered in GitLab CE/EE affecting all versions starting from 11.9. GitLab was not properly validating image files that were passed to a file parser which resulted in a remote command execution.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

10/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS Probability

99.73%

100.0th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Exploitation Status

This vulnerability is listed in CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, confirming active exploitation in the wild. Federal agencies must remediate by Nov 17, 2021.

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Gitlab	Gitlab	>= 11.9.0, < 13.8.8
Gitlab	Gitlab	>= 13.9.0, < 13.9.6
Gitlab	Gitlab	>= 13.10.0, < 13.10.3

References

http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/164768/GitLab-Unauthenticated-Remote-ExifTool-Command-Injection.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/164994/GitLab-13.10.2-Remote-Code-Execution.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/cves/-/blob/master/2021/CVE-2021-22205.jsonVendor Advisory
https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/327121Broken Link
https://hackerone.com/reports/1154542Permissions Required, Third Party Advisory
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/164768/GitLab-Unauthenticated-Remote-ExifTool-Command-Injection.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/164994/GitLab-13.10.2-Remote-Code-Execution.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/cves/-/blob/master/2021/CVE-2021-22205.jsonVendor Advisory
https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/327121Broken Link
https://hackerone.com/reports/1154542Permissions Required, Third Party Advisory
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2021-22205US Government Resource

Timeline

Published: Apr 23, 2021
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Analyzed

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2021-22205?

How severe is CVE-2021-22205?

CVE-2021-22205 has a CVSS score of 10/10 (CRITICAL severity). The EPSS model estimates a 99.73% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. This vulnerability is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

How do I fix CVE-2021-22205?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2021-22205?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST