CVE-2017-16858 : Security Advisory and Response

Atlassian Crowd versions 1.5.0 to 3.1.2 had a vulnerability that allowed attackers to impersonate users in REST requests.

Understanding CVE-2017-16858

This CVE involves a security issue in the 'crowd-application' plugin module used by the Google Apps plugin in Atlassian Crowd.

What is CVE-2017-16858?

The vulnerability in Atlassian Crowd versions 1.5.0 to 3.1.2 enabled attackers to assume the identity of a Crowd user in REST requests by exploiting a flaw in the 'crowd-application' plugin module.

The Impact of CVE-2017-16858

The vulnerability allowed attackers to authenticate REST requests using credentials from one directory and impersonate users from another directory, potentially leading to unauthorized access and misuse of privileges.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-16858

This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in the 'crowd-application' plugin module allowed attackers to exploit the authentication process and impersonate users across different directories within Atlassian Crowd.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Crowd
Vendor: Atlassian
Versions Affected: 1.5.0 to 3.1.2

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers could exploit the vulnerability by authenticating to a directory associated with an application using the 'crowd-application' module, enabling them to impersonate users from different directories.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from similar vulnerabilities is crucial for maintaining security.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Atlassian Crowd to a patched version that addresses the vulnerability.
Monitor and restrict access to sensitive directories and applications.
Implement strong authentication mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Conduct regular security audits and assessments to identify and address potential vulnerabilities.
Educate users and administrators on secure authentication practices and the importance of directory management.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by Atlassian for Crowd.
Promptly apply patches to ensure that systems are protected against known vulnerabilities.