CVE-2023-5061Network attack vector

Pipeline manipulation via predefined CI variable override

Published Dec 15, 2023 · Updated May 2, 2026

Improper authorization in affected GitLab releases allows remote authenticated users to override predefined CI variables via the REST API. Public materials identify the affected API behavior but do not disclose the code locus or authorization operation that accepts the override. Developer access to a project is required; successful abuse changes CI job inputs and alters pipeline behavior.

CVSS severity4.3
Medium
EPSS probability0.43%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper authorization in affected GitLab releases allows remote authenticated users to override predefined CI variables via the REST API. Public materials identify the affected API behavior but do not disclose the code locus or authorization operation that accepts the override. Developer access to a project is required; successful abuse changes CI job inputs and alters pipeline behavior.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-5061
Published
Dec 15, 2023
Updated
May 2, 2026
Vendor
GitLab
Product
GitLab
Classifications
CWE-285
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Dec 15, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. May 2, 2026Record 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=16.5 <16.5.4
  2. Affected versionversion=16.6 <16.6.2
  3. Affected versionversion=9.3 <16.4.4

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

GitLab · GitLabversion=16.5 <16.5.4; version=16.6 <16.6.2; version=9.3 <16.4.4

Published CVSS scores

4.3GitLab Inc.CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/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 exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-285Improper Authorization

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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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