CVE-2023-3441Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Protected-variable disclosure via unfiltered Git options

Published Oct 1, 2024 · Updated Oct 1, 2024

Improper policy enforcement in GitLab before 16.4 allows remote authenticated users to disclose protected CI/CD variables. GitLab Runner accepts unfiltered GIT_FETCH_EXTRA_FLAGS and GIT_CONFIG_* values, enabling ref substitution or a shell credential helper during repository fetch. Developer access with permission to run a protected-branch pipeline is required; successful exploitation runs attacker-selected code in the protected context and exposes its secrets.

CVSS severity6.6
Medium
EPSS probability0.55%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper policy enforcement in GitLab before 16.4 allows remote authenticated users to disclose protected CI/CD variables. GitLab Runner accepts unfiltered GIT_FETCH_EXTRA_FLAGS and GIT_CONFIG_* values, enabling ref substitution or a shell credential helper during repository fetch. Developer access with permission to run a protected-branch pipeline is required; successful exploitation runs attacker-selected code in the protected context and exposes its secrets.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-3441
Published
Oct 1, 2024
Updated
Oct 1, 2024
Vendor
GitLab
Product
GitLab
Classifications
CWE-213, T1059.004
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Oct 1, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Oct 1, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=8.0 <16.4

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

GitLab · GitLabversion=8.0 <16.4

Published CVSS scores

9.1NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
6.6GitLab Inc.CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:L/A:N

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-213Exposure of Sensitive Information Due to Incompatible Policies
T1059.004Command and Scripting Interpreter: Unix Shell

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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