CVE-2019-3398 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in Atlassian Confluence Server and Data Center. This vulnerability allows attackers with specific permissions to exploit the downloadallattachments resource. The risk to organizations includes potential remote code execution if the attacker can write files to arbitrary locations. Given the severity of the vulnerability, organizations should prioritize patching immediately.
The vulnerability affects all versions of Confluence Server from 2.0.0 before 6.6.13, from 6.7.0 before 6.12.4, from 6.13.0 before 6.13.4, from 6.14.0 before 6.14.3, and from 6.15.0 before 6.15.2. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data and systems.
This vulnerability has been assigned a CVSS score of 8.8, indicating a high severity level. Organizations running vulnerable versions of Confluence Server or Data Center should be aware of the urgency to address this issue.
The vulnerability was published on April 18, 2019, and has been included in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog by CISA since November 3, 2021. Organizations are encouraged to apply updates per vendor instructions.
Vulnerability Details
Confluence Server and Data Center had a path traversal vulnerability in the downloadallattachments resource. A remote attacker who has permission to add attachments to pages and/or blogs or to create a new space or a personal space or who has 'Admin' permissions for a space can exploit this path traversal vulnerability to write files to arbitrary locations, which can lead to remote code execution on systems that run a vulnerable version of Confluence Server or Data Center.
The CVSS base score for this vulnerability is 8.8, categorized as high severity. The attack vector is network-based, with low complexity and requiring low privileges. The potential impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability are all high.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability is improper validation of user-supplied input, leading to path traversal. Attackers may exploit this by crafting requests to access sensitive files on the server. The attack vector is network-based, allowing remote attackers to initiate the exploit without needing physical access to the server.
The attack complexity is low, as it requires no specialized conditions to be met. Privileges required are low; an attacker only needs to have permissions to add attachments or manage spaces. User interaction is not necessary, making it easier for attackers to execute exploits.
The impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability are all high, as successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, modification of files, and potential disruption of services.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Real-world deployment of Confluence Server and Data Center poses significant risks due to this vulnerability. Organizations must understand that the potential blast radius of exploitation includes unauthorized access to confidential data and systems. Given the high CVSS score of 8.8 and its inclusion in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle.
The urgency to patch is critical, as proof-of-concept exploits are available, and the exploitation status indicates that this vulnerability is known to be actively exploited in the wild. Organizations are advised to apply necessary updates or implement workarounds until updates can be applied.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | Yes |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
All versions of Confluence Server from 2.0.0 before 6.6.13, from 6.7.0 before 6.12.4, from 6.13.0 before 6.13.4, from 6.14.0 before 6.14.3, and from 6.15.0 before 6.15.2 are affected by this vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should apply updates per vendor instructions to mitigate this vulnerability. The fixed versions include 6.6.13, 6.12.4, 6.13.4, 6.14.3, and 6.15.2. If immediate patching is not possible, consider implementing workarounds such as restricting permissions for users who can add attachments or manage spaces.
For continuous monitoring, organizations can benefit from continuous penetration testing to detect any potential exploitation attempts.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor log files for unusual access patterns related to the downloadallattachments resource. Behavioral anomalies, such as unexpected file writes or access attempts to sensitive directories, should be investigated promptly.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2019-3398 underscores the necessity for organizations to maintain robust security practices. This vulnerability highlights the importance of validating user inputs and maintaining a principle of least privilege within applications. Security teams should leverage this as a learning opportunity to reinforce application security measures.
For further insights into vulnerability management, organizations can refer to the vulnerability management program and the importance of routine security assessments.
Additionally, organizations should consider enhancing their security posture through penetration testing to identify and remediate vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
Implementing a culture of security awareness within development teams is crucial. Engaging in security training can significantly reduce the likelihood of similar vulnerabilities occurring in the future.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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