CVE-2021-22205
KEVRansomware UseGitLab Community and Enterprise Editions Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Description
GitHub Community and Enterprise Editions that utilize the ability to upload images through GitLab Workhorse are vulnerable to remote code execution. Workhorse passes image file extensions through ExifTool, which improperly validates the image files.
An issue has been discovered in GitLab CE/EE affecting all versions starting from 11.9. GitLab was not properly validating image files that were passed to a file parser which resulted in a remote command execution.
CVSS 3.1 vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:HPublishedApr 23, 2021
Last modifiedAug 6, 2026
Added to KEVNov 3, 2021
Remediation dueNov 17, 2021
References
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/164768/GitLab-Unauthenticated-Remote-ExifTool-Command-Injection.htmlExploitThird Party Advisory
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/164994/GitLab-13.10.2-Remote-Code-Execution.htmlExploitThird Party Advisory
- gitlab.com/gitlab-org/cves/-/blob/master/2021/CVE-2021-22205.jsonVendor Advisory
- gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/327121Broken Link
- hackerone.com/reports/1154542Permissions RequiredThird Party Advisory
- cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2021-22205US Government Resource
0 recent articles mention this CVE
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Risk assessment · Critical
Actively exploited and used by ransomware crews. Patch immediately.
- Exploitation
- Confirmed in the wild (CISA KEV)
- Federal remediation deadline
- Overdue by 1804 days
- Ransomware
- Used in known ransomware campaigns
- CVSS
- 10.0 CRITICAL
- EPSS (30-day exploit probability)
- 99.7% · top 1% of all CVEs
- Weakness
- CWE-94
- Attack vector
- Network, remotely reachable
- Preconditions
- No privileges and no user interaction
Recommended actions
- 1.Apply updates per vendor instructions.
- 2.Treat as emergency change: patch or isolate internet-facing instances first.
- 3.Review exposure: confirm which instances are reachable from the internet and restrict access until patched.
- 4.Hunt for compromise: review logs for the disclosure window, not just from the patch date.
- 5.Verify offline/immutable backups and segment the affected systems. This flaw is used for ransomware initial access.
Assessment is derived automatically from the live signals above; verify against your own asset inventory.