CVE-2023-6564Network attack vector

Protected-branch writes via subgroup authorization bypass

Published Feb 8, 2024 · Updated Oct 3, 2024

Incorrect authorization in GitLab EE Premium and Ultimate 16.4.3, 16.5.3, and 16.6.1 allows remote authenticated users to alter protected branches. The protected-branch subgroup membership path incorrectly authorizes indirect Developer members, although GitLab has not disclosed the defective function. Exploitation requires a Developer account and a project that assigns protected-branch push or merge access through a subgroup, enabling unauthorized repository changes.

CVSS severity6.5
Medium
EPSS probability0.38%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Incorrect authorization in GitLab EE Premium and Ultimate 16.4.3, 16.5.3, and 16.6.1 allows remote authenticated users to alter protected branches. The protected-branch subgroup membership path incorrectly authorizes indirect Developer members, although GitLab has not disclosed the defective function. Exploitation requires a Developer account and a project that assigns protected-branch push or merge access through a subgroup, enabling unauthorized repository changes.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-6564
Published
Feb 8, 2024
Updated
Oct 3, 2024
Vendor
GitLab
Product
GitLab
Classifications
CWE-863, T1565.001
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Feb 8, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Oct 3, 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=16.4.3 <16.4.4
  2. Affected versionversion=16.5.3 <16.5.4
  3. Affected versionversion=16.6.1 <16.6.2

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

GitLab · GitLabversion=16.4.3 <16.4.4; version=16.5.3 <16.5.4; version=16.6.1 <16.6.2

Published CVSS scores

6.5GitLabCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/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 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-863Incorrect Authorization
T1565.001Stored Data Manipulation

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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