The Atlassian Questions For Confluence app for Confluence Server and Data Center creates a Confluence user account in the confluence-users group with the username disabledsystemuser and a hardcoded password. A remote, unauthenticated attacker with knowledge of the hardcoded password could exploit this to log into Confluence and access all content accessible to users in the confluence-users group. This user account is created when installing versions 2.7.34, 2.7.35, and 3.0.2 of the app.
This vulnerability allows attackers to leverage hardcoded credentials to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information stored within Confluence. With a CVSS score of 9.8, categorized as critical, the severity of this vulnerability cannot be overstated. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate potential risks.
Risk to organizations includes unauthorized access to sensitive data, which could lead to data breaches, privacy violations, and significant operational impacts. The potential for exploitation is high due to the low complexity of the attack and the lack of required privileges.
As this vulnerability has been confirmed in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, organizations should take immediate action to remediate affected systems. The urgency for defenders cannot be emphasized more strongly.
Organizations must address this vulnerability in their patch cycle to prevent potential exploitation and safeguard sensitive information.
Vulnerability Details
The Atlassian Questions For Confluence app for Confluence Server and Data Center creates a Confluence user account in the confluence-users group with the username disabledsystemuser and a hardcoded password. A remote, unauthenticated attacker could exploit this vulnerability to log into Confluence and access all content accessible to users in the confluence-users group. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-798.
CVSS score: 9.8 (Critical). This vulnerability is present in versions 2.7.34, 2.7.35, and 3.0.2 of the application.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability stems from the hardcoded credentials embedded in the application. Attackers may leverage the low attack complexity and the lack of required privileges to exploit this vulnerability remotely without user interaction.
The attack vector is network-based, allowing attackers to exploit the vulnerability from anywhere without physical access to the user’s system. Given the critical impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, organizations should ensure immediate remediation.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Real-world deployment risk includes the potential for unauthorized access to sensitive organizational data. With the ability for attackers to compromise Confluence, the blast radius could be extensive, impacting numerous users and sensitive documents. Given the CVSS score of 9.8 and its inclusion in the KEV catalog, organizations must address this vulnerability in their patch cycle to mitigate risks effectively.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | Yes |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The vulnerable versions of the Atlassian Questions For Confluence app include 2.7.34, 2.7.35, and 3.0.2. Organizations should patch to the latest version available to mitigate the risk.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should apply updates per vendor instructions to remediate this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing network controls to restrict access to Confluence and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts are recommended strategies. For organizations needing assistance, consider engaging in penetration testing to validate remediation effectiveness.
Detection Guidance
Monitor logs for indicators of unauthorized access attempts, such as failed login attempts using the disabledsystemuser account. Behavioral anomalies that deviate from normal user activity should also be investigated to detect potential exploitation.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of this vulnerability lies in the pattern of hardcoded credentials being embedded in applications. Security teams should prioritize the removal of hardcoded credentials in their development processes to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future. Lessons learned from this incident highlight the importance of secure coding practices and regular security assessments to identify and mitigate risks before they can be exploited.
For further reading on vulnerability management and secure coding practices, refer to our resources on vulnerability management program design and penetration testing methodology to enhance your organization's security posture.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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