Rule Document 1:67146

Rule Category

SERVER-WEBAPP -- Snort has detected traffic exploiting vulnerabilities in web based applications on servers.

Alert Message

SERVER-WEBAPP GitLab Community and Enterprise Edition directory traversal attempt

Rule Explanation

This rule looks for attempts to supply a file.path or metadata.path parameter containing an absolute or parent‑directory traversal sequence in requests to the GitLab repository API endpoints. Successful exploitation could allow an attacker to read arbitrary files on the GitLab server.

What To Look For

This rule fires on attempts to exploit a directory traversal vulnerability in GitLab Community and Enterprise Edition web applications.

Known Usage

Attacks/Scans seen in the wild

False Positives

No known false positives

Contributors

Cisco Talos Intelligence Group

Rule Groups

Rule Categories::Server::Web Applications

MITRE::ATT&CK Framework::Enterprise::Initial Access::Exploit Public-Facing Application

Adversaries may attempt to take advantage of a weakness in an Internet-facing computer or program using software, data, or commands in order to cause unintended or unanticipated behavior. The weakness in the system can be a bug, a glitch, or a design vulnerability. These applications are often websites, but can include databases (like SQL), standard services (like SMB or SSH), network device administration and management protocols (like SNMP and Smart Install), and any other applications with Internet accessible open sockets, such as web servers and related services.

CVE

CVE-2026-85706

Additional Links

docs.gitlab.com/releases/patches/patch-release-gitlab-19-3-2-released/

Rule Vulnerability

Directory Traversal

A Directory Traversal attack targets HTTP traffic and allows the attacker to access directories outside the applications own, potentially exposing sensitive system files to leakage or overwriting. This is also known as Directory Climbing, Path Traversal, or Backtracking. An alert on this kind of attack indicates a vulnerability in security validation of user input that allows a "traverse to parent directory" or "../" command to pass through. Protect your site by filtering all user input, removing any characters but the allowed data.

CVE Additional Information

This product uses data from the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD.

CVE-2026-85706

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