CVE-2022-2251

Name: CVE-2022-2251
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2023-01-17T21:15:12.343+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 8/10EPSS 1.17%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2022-2251 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 8/10 on the CVSS scale. Improper sanitization of branch names in GitLab Runner affecting all versions prior to 15.3.5, 15.4 prior to 15.4.4, and 15.5 prior to 15.5.2 allows a user who creates a branch with a specially crafted name and gets another user to trigger a pipeline to execute commands in the runner as that other user.. EPSS estimates a 1.17% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

Improper sanitization of branch names in GitLab Runner affecting all versions prior to 15.3.5, 15.4 prior to 15.4.4, and 15.5 prior to 15.5.2 allows a user who creates a branch with a specially crafted name and gets another user to trigger a pipeline to execute commands in the runner as that other user.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

8/10

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

EPSS Probability

1.17%

63.3th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Gitlab	Runner	< 15.3.5
Gitlab	Runner	>= 15.4.0, < 15.4.4
Gitlab	Runner	>= 15.5.0, < 15.5.2

References

https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/cves/-/blob/master/2022/CVE-2022-2251.jsonVendor Advisory
https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab-runner/-/issues/27386Exploit, Issue Tracking, Vendor Advisory
https://hackerone.com/reports/1063511Permissions Required, Third Party Advisory
https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/cves/-/blob/master/2022/CVE-2022-2251.jsonVendor Advisory
https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab-runner/-/issues/27386Exploit, Issue Tracking, Vendor Advisory
https://hackerone.com/reports/1063511Permissions Required, Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Jan 17, 2023
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2022-2251?

How severe is CVE-2022-2251?

CVE-2022-2251 has a CVSS score of 8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 1.17% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2022-2251?

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-2022-2251?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST