CVE-2023-6396: Members with admin_group_member custom permission can add members with higher role

Published Nov 30, 2023
·
Updated

An issue has been discovered in GitLab EE affecting all versions starting from 16.5 before 16.5.3, all versions starting from 16.6 before 16.6.1. When a user is assigned a custom role with admingroupmember enabled, they may be able to add a member with a higher static role than themselves to the group which may lead to privilege escalation.

Affected Software

1 affected componentFixes available
GitLab GitLab EE>=16.5<16.5.3, >=16.6<16.6.1
16.5.316.6.1

Event History

Apr 22, 2026
CVE Published
via GitLab·08:52 AM
Data Sourced
via GitLab·08:52 AM
DescriptionSeverityAffected Software
Free Weekly Intel

Don't miss critical vulnerabilities

Join thousands of security professionals who receive our weekly digest of trending CVEs, zero-days, and exploited vulnerabilities.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2023-6396?

CVE-2023-6396 is considered a moderate severity vulnerability as it allows users with custom roles to escalate privileges inadvertently.

2

How do I fix CVE-2023-6396?

To fix CVE-2023-6396, update your GitLab EE installation to version 16.5.3 or 16.6.1 or later.

3

Which GitLab versions are affected by CVE-2023-6396?

CVE-2023-6396 affects GitLab EE versions from 16.5 up to 16.5.2 and from 16.6 up to 16.6.0.

4

What types of roles are involved in CVE-2023-6396?

CVE-2023-6396 involves custom roles where 'admin_group_member' is enabled, potentially allowing higher role assignments.

5

Is CVE-2023-6396 exploitable remotely?

Yes, CVE-2023-6396 can be exploited by an authenticated user with a custom role who has access to the member management feature.

Contact

SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
132 Wickham Terrace
Fortitude Valley,
QLD 4006, Australia
info@secalerts.co
By using SecAlerts services, you agree to our services end-user license agreement. This website is safeguarded by reCAPTCHA and governed by the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. All names, logos, and brands of products are owned by their respective owners, and any usage of these names, logos, and brands for identification purposes only does not imply endorsement. If you possess any content that requires removal, please get in touch with us.
© 2026 SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
ABN: 70 645 966 203, ACN: 645 966 203