CVE-2021-26084 is a critical OGNL injection vulnerability affecting Atlassian Confluence Server and Data Center. This vulnerability allows an unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code on a vulnerable instance. With a CVSS score of 9.8, organizations must understand the severity of this issue and take appropriate action. The risk to organizations includes unauthorized access and potential data breaches, making it imperative to address this vulnerability promptly.
The vulnerability exists in affected versions of Confluence Server and Data Center, specifically versions prior to 6.13.23, from 6.14.0 before 7.4.11, from 7.5.0 before 7.11.6, and from 7.12.0 before 7.12.5. Given the nature of this vulnerability, organizations should prioritize patching immediately.
As of now, the vulnerability has been analyzed and is included in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. This highlights the urgency for organizations to implement patches to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-26084.
Organizations must take proactive measures to secure their Confluence instances and should monitor for any signs of exploitation. This includes ensuring that all systems are updated to versions that are not vulnerable to this OGNL injection vulnerability.
Vulnerability Details
The OGNL injection vulnerability in Confluence Server and Data Center allows attackers to execute arbitrary code, posing a significant threat to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected systems. The CVSS 3.1 score of 9.8 categorizes this vulnerability as critical, indicating a severe risk to organizations.
The vulnerability is attributed to improper input validation, classified under CWE-917. Affected versions include those prior to 6.13.23, from 6.14.0 before 7.4.11, from 7.5.0 before 7.11.6, and from 7.12.0 before 7.12.5. Organizations should urgently apply patches provided by the vendor to mitigate this vulnerability.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability stems from the use of Object-Graph Navigation Language (OGNL) in the application without proper input validation. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability remotely, as it does not require authentication or user interaction. The attack complexity is low, making it easy for an attacker to execute arbitrary code.
Given the high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact scores associated with this vulnerability, it is crucial for organizations to implement immediate remediation measures. Monitoring for unusual behavior and potential exploitation attempts is also recommended.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world deployment risk associated with CVE-2021-26084 is significant due to the potential for unauthorized code execution. This vulnerability could lead to data breaches, loss of sensitive information, and substantial operational disruptions. Organizations utilizing Confluence Server and Data Center should assess their exposure and prioritize remediation actions.
The urgency for addressing this vulnerability is underscored by its inclusion in the KEV catalog, indicating known exploitation. Organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle to prevent exploitation and mitigate the risk of data loss.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | Yes |
Ransomware Use | Yes |
Affected Versions
The affected versions of Confluence Server and Data Center include those prior to 6.13.23, from 6.14.0 before 7.4.11, from 7.5.0 before 7.11.6, and from 7.12.0 before 7.12.5. Organizations should ensure they are upgraded to versions that are not vulnerable.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should apply the latest patches from Atlassian to remediate this vulnerability. Ensure that systems are upgraded to versions 6.13.23 or later, 7.4.11 or later, 7.11.6 or later, and 7.12.5 or later. Regularly verify that your systems are not running vulnerable versions and consider implementing additional security measures such as network segmentation and monitoring for suspicious activities.
For more information on penetration testing services that can help validate your security posture, organizations may consider consulting a professional service like penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for indicators of exploitation, including unexpected application behavior, unauthorized access attempts, and anomalies in user actions. Behavioral monitoring tools can help identify unusual patterns that may signify exploitation attempts.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2021-26084 lies in its ability to demonstrate the risks associated with improper input validation in web applications. Security teams should take this as a lesson to enhance their testing practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.
In light of the known exploitation of this vulnerability, organizations should proactively engage in assessments and validate their security measures to mitigate the potential impact of such vulnerabilities.
For further reading on best practices in vulnerability management, organizations can explore resources such as the vulnerability management program and strategies to enhance their security posture.
Organizations should also remain aware of emerging threats, such as ransomware campaigns that may leverage known vulnerabilities like CVE-2021-26084. Adapting to the evolving threat landscape is crucial for maintaining robust security.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.

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