CVE-2021-22205
GitHub Community and Enterprise Editions that utilize the ability to upload images through GitLab Workhorse are vulnerable to remote code execution…
Browse: All 2021 CVEs · All vendors
- CVSS score
- 10.0 Critical
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H- CISA KEV
- Yes — actively exploited (added 2021-11-03, remediation due 2021-11-17)
- Ransomware
- Known ransomware campaign use
- Weakness (CWE)
- CWE-94
- Published
- 2021-04-23
- Last modified
- 2026-08-06
- NVD status
- Analyzed
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.
Affected products
- gitlab gitlab
Affected ranges per NVD CPE data; confirm exact versions in the vendor advisory.
Required action (CISA)
Apply updates per vendor instructions. Federal remediation deadline: 2021-11-17.
How to prioritize this
This vulnerability is on the CISA KEV list, meaning it is being actively exploited — treat it as urgent regardless of the raw CVSS number. Use the live CVE lookup for the latest NVD data, and the CVSS 3.1 calculator to model your own environmental score. For the actively exploited vulnerabilities that matter this week, read The Exploit HQ daily security brief.
References
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/164768/GitLab-Unauthenticated-Remote-ExifTool-Command-Injection.html
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/164994/GitLab-13.10.2-Remote-Code-Execution.html
- https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/cves/-/blob/master/2021/CVE-2021-22205.json
- https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/327121
- https://hackerone.com/reports/1154542
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2021-22205
FAQ
Is CVE-2021-22205 actively exploited?
Yes. CISA added CVE-2021-22205 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog on 2021-11-03, with a federal remediation deadline of 2021-11-17. A KEV listing means real-world exploitation is confirmed, so patching this should be prioritized above many higher-CVSS bugs that aren't being exploited.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2021-22205?
CVE-2021-22205 has a CVSS base score of 10.0 (Critical). Its vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H.
Related vulnerabilities
- CVE-2021-39935 — GitLab Community and Enterprise Editions
- CVE-2026-85706 — GitLab Community Edition and Enterprise Ed
- CVE-2021-22175 — GitLab GitLab
- CVE-2023-7028 — GitLab GitLab CE/EE
- CVE-2026-0322 — Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS
- CVE-2026-65660 — Microsoft SharePoint
Data source: NVD & CISA KEV. Shown as-is; nothing added. Last generated from NVD data — re-check the live tool for updates.
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