CVE-2022-3293 is a security vulnerability identified in GitLab Enterprise Edition (EE) that causes unintended information exposure. Specifically, email addresses are leaked through WebHook logs in affected GitLab versions. The vulnerability impacts all GitLab EE versions from 9.3 up to but not including 15.2.5, versions 15.3 up to but not including 15.3.4, and versions 15.4 up to but not including 15.4.1. The issue stems from improper handling of sensitive information in WebHook logs, categorized under CWE-532 (Information Exposure Through Log Files). The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 3.5, indicating a low severity level. The vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N) shows that the attack vector is network-based, requires low attack complexity, requires privileges (PR:L), and user interaction (UI:R). The impact is limited to confidentiality (C:L) with no impact on integrity or availability. No known exploits in the wild have been reported, and no official patch links were provided in the source, though GitLab has released fixed versions (15.2.5, 15.3.4, 15.4.1) to address this issue. The vulnerability could allow an attacker with some level of authenticated access and ability to trigger user interaction to gain access to email addresses logged in WebHook events, potentially exposing user identity information and enabling targeted phishing or social engineering attacks.

For European organizations using GitLab EE, this vulnerability poses a privacy risk by exposing email addresses of users or stakeholders through WebHook logs. While the direct technical impact on system integrity or availability is minimal, the leakage of email addresses can facilitate targeted phishing campaigns, spear phishing, or social engineering attacks against employees or partners. This is particularly sensitive under the GDPR framework, where unauthorized disclosure of personal data (such as email addresses) can lead to regulatory penalties and reputational damage. Organizations with extensive use of GitLab for software development, especially those integrating WebHooks for automation or third-party services, are at risk of inadvertent data exposure. The requirement for authenticated access and user interaction somewhat limits the attack surface but does not eliminate the risk, especially in environments with many users or where insider threats exist. The exposure could also undermine trust in internal security practices and complicate compliance efforts.

European organizations should promptly upgrade GitLab EE instances to versions 15.2.5, 15.3.4, or 15.4.1 or later to remediate this vulnerability. Beyond patching, organizations should audit WebHook configurations and logs to identify any leakage of sensitive information and sanitize or securely archive existing logs containing email addresses. Access to GitLab WebHook logs should be strictly controlled and monitored, limiting privileges to only those users who require it. Implementing strict role-based access control (RBAC) and multi-factor authentication (MFA) can reduce the risk of unauthorized access. Additionally, organizations should review and harden their incident response and phishing awareness programs to mitigate the risk of social engineering attacks leveraging leaked email addresses. Logging and monitoring solutions should be enhanced to detect unusual access patterns to WebHook logs. Finally, organizations should ensure compliance with GDPR by documenting the exposure, notifying affected users if necessary, and reporting to relevant data protection authorities if required.