CVE-2019-3396 is a critical vulnerability in Atlassian Confluence Server that permits remote attackers to achieve path traversal and remote code execution. This vulnerability affects versions prior to 6.6.12, as well as several subsequent versions, including 6.7.0 before 6.12.3, 6.13.0 before 6.13.3, and 6.14.0 before 6.14.2. The exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to severe impacts on the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected systems.
This vulnerability allows attackers to exploit server-side template injections, thereby executing arbitrary code on Confluence Server or Data Center instances. Given its critical CVSS score of 9.8, organizations should prioritize patching this vulnerability immediately to mitigate risks.
As of now, this vulnerability is included in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, indicating its active exploitation in the wild. Organizations are strongly advised to apply the necessary updates and patches as soon as possible to protect their systems from potential attacks.
The urgency for defenders is high. Failure to address this vulnerability can lead to unauthorized access and significant security breaches. Organizations should take immediate action to patch affected systems.
Vulnerability Details
The Widget Connector macro in Atlassian Confluence Server before version 6.6.12 (the fixed version for 6.6.x), from version 6.7.0 before 6.12.3 (the fixed version for 6.12.x), from version 6.13.0 before 6.13.3 (the fixed version for 6.13.x), and from version 6.14.0 before 6.14.2 (the fixed version for 6.14.x), allows remote attackers to achieve path traversal and remote code execution on a Confluence Server or Data Center instance via server-side template injection.
This vulnerability has a CVSS score of 9.8, indicating a critical severity level. The impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability are rated high, meaning that unauthorized access and exploitation could lead to significant data breaches.
The affected product is Atlassian Confluence Server, with the vulnerability classified under CWE-22. It was first published on March 25, 2019.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper validation of user-supplied input in the Widget Connector macro. Attackers can leverage this flaw through a network attack vector, without requiring any privileges or user interaction. The attack complexity is low, making it easy to exploit.
Once exploited, the attacker can gain unauthorized access to sensitive data and potentially disrupt the availability of the Confluence services. The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability can be severe, leading to significant risks for organizations relying on this software.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Organizations using vulnerable versions of Atlassian Confluence Server face significant risks, including unauthorized access to sensitive information, potential data loss, and disruption of services. The blast radius for this vulnerability is substantial, as it can affect multiple instances of Confluence within an organization.
The urgency to patch this vulnerability is critical. With an exploitability score indicating active exploitation in the wild, organizations need to prioritize this vulnerability in their patch management processes.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | Yes |
Ransomware Use | Known |
Affected Versions
The vulnerability affects Atlassian Confluence Server versions before 6.6.12, from 6.7.0 before 6.12.3, from 6.13.0 before 6.13.3, and from 6.14.0 before 6.14.2. Organizations should consider all versions prior to the vendor patch as vulnerable.
Mitigation & Remediation
To mitigate this vulnerability, organizations must apply the relevant patches provided by Atlassian. The fixed versions are as follows: 6.6.12, 6.12.3, 6.13.3, and 6.14.2. If a patch cannot be applied immediately, consider implementing workarounds such as restricting access to the Widget Connector macro.
Organizations should also enhance their security posture by performing regular security assessments and penetration testing. For comprehensive security reviews, organizations can utilize penetration testing services to identify and remediate vulnerabilities.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for unusual access patterns and errors related to the Widget Connector macro. Additionally, behavioral anomalies in server responses should be scrutinized to detect potential exploitation attempts.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2019-3396 highlights the growing trend of template injection vulnerabilities in web applications. Security teams should learn from this incident and prioritize the review of server-side template handling in their development practices.
It is crucial for organizations to understand the implications of such vulnerabilities and implement robust application security measures. For further guidance on securing applications, organizations can refer to the vulnerability management program and best practices in application security.
Additionally, organizations should leverage insights from this vulnerability to strengthen their overall security posture against similar attacks. Engaging in regular penetration testing will help identify vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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