CVE-2018-20233 : Security Advisory and Response

Atlassian Universal Plugin Manager before version 2.22.14 is vulnerable to remote attacks due to an XML External Entity flaw in the parsing of Atlassian plugin XML files.

Understanding CVE-2018-20233

This CVE identifies a security vulnerability in Atlassian's Universal Plugin Manager that allows remote attackers with system administrator privileges to execute malicious activities.

What is CVE-2018-20233?

The vulnerability in the Upload add-on resource of Atlassian Universal Plugin Manager before version 2.22.14 enables attackers to read files, make network requests, and launch denial of service attacks.

The Impact of CVE-2018-20233

The vulnerability permits remote attackers with system administrator privileges to carry out various malicious activities, compromising the integrity and security of the affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-20233

Atlassian Universal Plugin Manager is susceptible to the following:

Vulnerability Description

The flaw lies in the parsing of Atlassian plugin XML files within an uploaded JAR, allowing attackers to exploit an XML External Entity vulnerability.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Universal Plugin Manager
Vendor: Atlassian
Versions Affected: < 2.22.14 (unspecified/custom)

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability is due to an XML External Entity flaw in the parsing of Atlassian plugin XML files within an uploaded JAR, enabling attackers to execute malicious activities.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2018-20233, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Atlassian Universal Plugin Manager to version 2.22.14 or higher.
Implement strict access controls to limit system administrator privileges.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch software to mitigate known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security audits and penetration testing to identify and address potential weaknesses.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches provided by Atlassian promptly to address the vulnerability and enhance system security.