CVE-2017-18091 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Atlassian Fisheye and Crucible versions prior to 4.4.3 and 4.5.0 are vulnerable to a Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attack through the admin backupprogress action.

Understanding CVE-2017-18091

This CVE involves a security vulnerability in Atlassian Fisheye and Crucible that allows remote attackers with administrative privileges to inject malicious code via a cross-site scripting (XSS) exploit.

What is CVE-2017-18091?

The admin backupprogress action in Atlassian Fisheye and Crucible before version 4.4.3 and 4.5.0 enables attackers to insert arbitrary HTML or JavaScript by exploiting an XSS flaw in the backup filename.

The Impact of CVE-2017-18091

This vulnerability can be exploited by remote attackers with administrative privileges, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data theft, or further attacks within the affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-18091

Atlassian Fisheye and Crucible versions prior to 4.4.3 and 4.5.0 are susceptible to the following:

Vulnerability Description

Attackers can leverage the admin backupprogress action to inject malicious HTML or JavaScript code.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Fisheye and Crucible
Vendor: Atlassian
Vulnerable Versions: prior to 4.4.3, prior to 4.5.0

Exploitation Mechanism

Remote attackers with administrative privileges can exploit a cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the backup filename to execute malicious code.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2017-18091, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Atlassian Fisheye and Crucible to version 4.4.3 or higher.
Implement strict input validation to prevent XSS attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit system logs for suspicious activities.
Educate users on safe browsing habits and the risks of XSS attacks.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates from Atlassian and promptly apply patches to mitigate known vulnerabilities.