CVE-2023-2181

What it is

An issue has been discovered in GitLab affecting all versions before 15.9.8, 15.10.0 before 15.10.7, and 15.11.0 before 15.11.3. A malicious developer could use a git feature called refs/replace to smuggle content into a merge request which would not be visible during review in the UI.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited over the network with a low-privilege account, but needs a user to act. High risk of data tampering.

Exploit odds

0.7% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

No patch or advisory is linked yet. Look at mitigations or restrict exposure.

Timeline

1. 2023-05-12 21:15 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-06-17 05:51 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 0.7% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 6.3 MEDIUM (CVSS).
• Fix: none linked yet, which raises it.

Details

Published

2023-05-12 21:15 UTC

Last modified

2026-06-17 05:51 UTC

Exploit probability

0.7% · EPSS, next 30 days

Record status

Modified

Affected

• GitLab < 15.9.8
• GitLab < 15.10.7
• GitLab < 15.11.3

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 6.3

Attack vector

Network

Complexity

Low

Privileges needed

Low

User interaction

Required

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

Low

Integrity

High

Availability

None

Is it in your code?

Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.

Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2023-2181.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2023-2181. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

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