GitLab File Read via Unauth Repo Commits API (18.7-19.3.x)
CVE-2026-85706 Published on September 12, 2026
Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') in GitLab
GitLab has remediated an issue in GitLab CE/EE affecting all versions from 18.7 before 19.1.8, 19.2 before 19.2.6, and 19.3 before 19.3.2 that, under certain conditions, an unauthenticated user could have read arbitrary files from the GitLab server due to improper path confinement and missing authentication enforcement in the repository commits API.
Known Exploited Vulnerability
This GitLab Community Edition and Enterprise Edition Path Traversal Vulnerability is part of CISA's list of Known Exploited Vulnerabilities. GitLab Community Edition and Enterprise Edition contains a path traversal vulnerability that allows an unauthenticated user to read arbitrary files due to an improper path confinement and missing authentication enforcement in the repository commits API.
The following remediation steps are recommended / required by September 14, 2026: Apply mitigations in accordance with vendor instructions, ensuring compliance with CISA’s BOD 26-04 Prioritizing Security Updates Based on Risk (see URL in Notes) guidance and CISA’s “Forensics Triage Requirements” (see URL in Notes). Follow applicab
Vulnerability Analysis
CVE-2026-85706 is exploitable with network access, and does not require authorization privileges or user interaction. This vulnerability is considered to have a low attack complexity. This vulnerability is known to be actively exploited by threat actors in an automatable fashion. The potential impact of an exploit of this vulnerability is considered to have a high impact on confidentiality and integrity, and no impact on availability.
Weakness Type
What is a Directory traversal Vulnerability?
The software uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the software does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted directory.
CVE-2026-85706 has been classified to as a Directory traversal vulnerability or weakness.
Products Associated with CVE-2026-85706
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Affected Versions
GitLab:- Version 18.7 and below 19.1.8 is affected.
- Version 19.2 and below 19.2.6 is affected.
- Version 19.3 and below 19.3.2 is affected.