CVE-2023-2181

Name: CVE-2023-2181
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2023-05-12T21:15:09.49+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

MEDIUMCVSS 6.5/10EPSS 0.73%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2023-2181 is a medium-severity vulnerability rated 6.5/10 on the CVSS scale. An issue has been discovered in GitLab affecting all versions before 15.9.8, 15.10.0 before 15.10.7, and 15.11.0 before 15.11.3. A malicious developer could use a git feature called refs/replace to smuggle content into a merge request which would not be visible during review in the UI.. EPSS estimates a 0.73% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

An issue has been discovered in GitLab affecting all versions before 15.9.8, 15.10.0 before 15.10.7, and 15.11.0 before 15.11.3. A malicious developer could use a git feature called refs/replace to smuggle content into a merge request which would not be visible during review in the UI.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

6.5/10

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

EPSS Probability

0.73%

49.5th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Gitlab	Gitlab	< 15.9.8
Gitlab	Gitlab	>= 15.10.0, < 15.10.7
Gitlab	Gitlab	>= 15.11.0, < 15.11.3

References

https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/cves/-/blob/master/2023/CVE-2023-2181.jsonThird Party Advisory
https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/407859Broken Link
https://hackerone.com/reports/1938185Permissions Required
https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/cves/-/blob/master/2023/CVE-2023-2181.jsonThird Party Advisory
https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/407859Broken Link
https://hackerone.com/reports/1938185Permissions Required

Timeline

Published: May 12, 2023
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2023-2181?

How severe is CVE-2023-2181?

CVE-2023-2181 has a CVSS score of 6.5/10 (MEDIUM severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.73% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2023-2181?

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-2023-2181?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST