CVE-2017-18086 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Atlassian Confluence Server prior to version 6.4.2 is vulnerable to XSS attacks through the issuesURL parameter.

Understanding CVE-2017-18086

This CVE involves a cross-site scripting vulnerability in Atlassian Confluence Server.

What is CVE-2017-18086?

A number of resources within Atlassian Confluence Server before version 6.4.2 have a potential XSS vulnerability, allowing remote attackers to inject arbitrary HTML or JavaScript code via the issuesURL parameter.

The Impact of CVE-2017-18086

Remote attackers can execute arbitrary code on the affected system.
This vulnerability can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-18086

Atlassian Confluence Server XSS Vulnerability

Vulnerability Description

Various resources in Atlassian Confluence Server before version 6.4.2 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary HTML or JavaScript via a cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the issuesURL parameter.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Atlassian Confluence Server
Versions Affected: Prior to 6.4.2

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers exploit the issuesURL parameter to inject malicious HTML or JavaScript code, potentially compromising the server.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting Against CVE-2017-18086

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Atlassian Confluence Server to version 6.4.2 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Implement input validation to sanitize user inputs and prevent XSS attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit web applications for security vulnerabilities.
Educate developers and users on secure coding practices to prevent XSS vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates from Atlassian and apply patches promptly to secure the system.