---
title: "CVE-2023-7028: GitLab Community and Enterprise Editions Improper Access Control Vulnerability"
url: https://erroneo.us/security/cve/CVE-2023-7028/
description: "CVE-2023-7028 (GitLab GitLab CE/EE): Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV). An issue has been discovered in GitLab CE/EE affecting all versions from 16.1 prior…"
type: vulnerability-record
section: "Security Digest"
date_published: 2024-01-12
date_modified: 2026-10-21
publisher: erroneo.us
author: erroneo.us Security Desk
cve: "CVE-2023-7028"
kev: true
cvss: 10
epss: 0.94458
license: All rights reserved. Quote with attribution and a link.
---

# CVE-2023-7028: GitLab Community and Enterprise Editions Improper Access Control Vulnerability

**Signal:** Exploited: patch now if you run it. CISA has confirmed exploitation in the wild. (Computed from CISA KEV, EPSS and CVSS; not an editorial verdict.)

## Should you act?

- Yes, if you run GitLab GitLab CE/EE. CISA added this CVE to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2024-05-01, which means there is reliable evidence of exploitation in the wild. US federal agencies must remediate by 2024-05-22 ; treat that as the outer limit, not the target.
- EPSS 94.5% , percentile 99.9: FIRST’s model estimates a 94.5% chance of exploitation activity in the next 30 days, higher than 99.9% of all scored CVEs (very high). EPSS is a probability, not a verdict.
- Remotely reachable with no login and no user interaction. If the vulnerable service is exposed to the internet, prioritize it.
- Editorial verdict: Act now. GitLab Password Reset Flaw Enables Account Takeover — Any self-managed GitLab still on 16.1 through 16.7.1 lets anyone take over accounts without 2FA by email alone; upgrade immediately and turn on 2FA.

## What it is

An issue has been discovered in GitLab CE/EE affecting all versions from 16.1 prior to 16.1.6, 16.2 prior to 16.2.9, 16.3 prior to 16.3.7, 16.4 prior to 16.4.5, 16.5 prior to 16.5.6, 16.6 prior to 16.6.4, and 16.7 prior to 16.7.2 in which user account password reset emails could be delivered to an unverified email address.

## Affected products (CVE record)

- GitLab GitLab: 16.1 < 16.1.6, 16.2 < 16.2.9, 16.3 < 16.3.7, 16.4 < 16.4.5, 16.5 < 16.5.6, 16.6 < 16.6.4, 16.7 < 16.7.2

## Severity

- GitLab CVSS 3.1: 10 `CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:N`

## Exploitation

- CISA KEV: added 2024-05-01; federal due date 2024-05-22. Known ransomware use: Unknown.
- CISA required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
- CISA SSVC assessment: exploitation active , automatable yes , technical impact total .
- FIRST EPSS (model of 2026-10-21): 94.46% probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days; percentile 99.9.

## Sources

- [Listed in CISA KEV notes (about.gitlab.com)](https://about.gitlab.com/releases/2024/01/11/critical-security-release-gitlab-16-7-2-released/)
- [CVE.org record CVE-2023-7028](https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-7028)
- [NVD entry CVE-2023-7028](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-7028)
- [CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog entry](https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2023-7028)
- [GitLab Issue #436084](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/436084)
- [HackerOne Bug Bounty Report #2293343](https://hackerone.com/reports/2293343)
- [vicarius.io](https://www.vicarius.io/vsociety/posts/critical-gitlab-account-takeover-vulnerability-cve-2023-7028)

---
Source page: https://erroneo.us/security/cve/CVE-2023-7028/ · Security Digest: https://erroneo.us/security/ · More: https://erroneo.us/llms.txt