CVE-2023-6840

Name: CVE-2023-6840
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2024-02-07T22:15:09.5+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

MEDIUMCVSS 6.7/10EPSS 0.56%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2023-6840 is a medium-severity vulnerability rated 6.7/10 on the CVSS scale. An issue has been discovered in GitLab EE affecting all versions from 16.4 prior to 16.6.7, 16.7 prior to 16.7.5, and 16.8 prior to 16.8.2 which allows a maintainer to change the name of a protected branch that bypasses the security policy added to block MR.. EPSS estimates a 0.56% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

An issue has been discovered in GitLab EE affecting all versions from 16.4 prior to 16.6.7, 16.7 prior to 16.7.5, and 16.8 prior to 16.8.2 which allows a maintainer to change the name of a protected branch that bypasses the security policy added to block MR.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

6.7/10

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

EPSS Probability

0.56%

42.5th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-862

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Gitlab	Gitlab	>= 16.4.0, < 16.6.7
Gitlab	Gitlab	>= 16.7.0, < 16.7.5
Gitlab	Gitlab	>= 16.8.0, < 16.8.2

References

https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/435500Issue Tracking, Permissions Required
https://hackerone.com/reports/2280292Permissions Required, Technical Description
https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/435500Issue Tracking, Permissions Required
https://hackerone.com/reports/2280292Permissions Required, Technical Description

Timeline

Published: Feb 7, 2024
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2023-6840?

How severe is CVE-2023-6840?

CVE-2023-6840 has a CVSS score of 6.7/10 (MEDIUM severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.56% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2023-6840?

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-2023-6840?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST