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Findings

CVE-2021-22205

GitLab Community and Enterprise Editions Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Published Apr 23, 2021 · updated Aug 5, 2026 · CISA gitlab

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.

Code

The project this record applies to. Exploit listings stay in References.

Timeline

Detection, updates, and resolution for this record.

  1. Apr 23, 2021 · Catalog

    Detected

    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.

  2. Nov 3, 2021 · CISA KEV

    Known exploited

    Apply updates per vendor instructions.

  3. Nov 17, 2021 · CISA KEV

    Remediation due

    Apply updates per vendor instructions.

  4. Aug 5, 2026 · Catalog

    Updated

    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.

Required action

Apply updates per vendor instructions.

CISA due date Nov 17, 2021

Affected

  • cpe gitlab/gitlabversion unspecified
  • vendor GitLab Community and Enterprise Editionsversion unspecified

Sources

  • CISA Cybersecurity AdvisoriesGovernment advisoryCVE-2021-22205

    Advisory at a Glance Title Chinese Government-linked Cyber Threat Actors Combine Automated and Hands-on Hacking Tools to Steal Sensitive Data <div class="TableCellContent SCXW40

    cisa.gov
  • CISA KEVConfirmed exploitationCVE-2021-22205

    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.

    cisa.gov
  • CVE.orgVulnerability recordCVE-2021-22205

    Official CVE identifier

    cve.org
  • FIRST EPSSExploitation probabilityCVE-2021-22205

    30-day exploitation probability 99.7%

    first.org
  • Exploit DatabasePublic exploit reference50532

    Public archive entry. The exploit body is not stored here.

    exploit-db.com
  • Metasploit ModulesPublic exploit moduleexploit_multi/http/gitlab_exif_rce

    Public module reference (excellent). Module source is not copied into this catalog.

    rapid7.com
  • NIST NVDVulnerability recordCVE-2021-22205

    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.

    nvd.nist.gov
  • Packet Storm SecurityCited referencehttp://packetstormsecurity.com/files/164768/GitLab-Unauthenticated-Remote-ExifTool-Command-Injection.html

    Packet Storm link already published on the finding.

    packetstormsecurity.com
  • Packet Storm SecurityCited referencehttp://packetstormsecurity.com/files/164994/GitLab-13.10.2-Remote-Code-Execution.html

    Packet Storm link already published on the finding.

    packetstormsecurity.com

References