CVE-2013-4489 — gitlab-grit
Fix: gitlabhq/grit@40f33a4CVE-2013-4489 is a security vulnerability in gitlab-grit. A fix is available for gitlab-grit — see the affected versions and patch details below.
GitLab Grit Gem for Ruby contains a flaw allowing arbitrary commands to be executed
EPSS Exploitation Probability
Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days, from FIRST.org EPSS.
Real-World Exposure
gitlab-gritReal-time download stats are indexed for npm and PyPI packages. This vulnerability affects RubyGems packages — download data is not available via public APIs for these ecosystems.
Description
The Grit gem for Ruby, as used in GitLab 5.2 before 5.4.1 and 6.x before 6.2.3, allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands, as demonstrated by the search box for the GitLab code search feature.
GitLab Grit Gem for Ruby contains a flaw in the app/contexts/search_context.rb script. The issue is triggered when input passed via the code search box is not properly sanitized, which allows strings to be evaluated by the shell. This may allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary commands.
Affected Packages
| Ecosystem | Package | Vulnerable range | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💎RubyGems | gitlab-grit | all versions | 2.6.1bundle update gitlab-grit --conservative |
Affected Products
gitlabgitlabDetection & mitigation playbook
Open-source dependencyDetect
Scan your dependency tree (package-lock.json, pnpm-lock.yaml, requirements.txt, go.sum, etc.) for gitlab-grit, including transitive dependencies — a direct dependency you never call can still pull in a vulnerable version.
Fix
Update gitlab-grit to 2.6.1 or later, then make sure no transitive (indirect) dependency still pins the vulnerable range — O3 confirms CVE-2013-4489 is resolved across your whole dependency graph.
Workarounds
If you can't upgrade right away: gate or disable the affected feature, validate untrusted input at the boundary, and avoid passing attacker-controlled data into the vulnerable path. O3's runtime protection blocks exploitation in production as an interim safeguard until the upgrade lands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CVE-2013-4489 in your dependencies?
Find it across RubyGems, including transitive dependencies.