CVE-2018-20238 : Security Advisory and Response
Learn about CVE-2018-20238 affecting Atlassian Crowd versions 3.2.7 and earlier, and versions 3.3.0 to 3.3.4. Discover the impact, technical details, and mitigation steps.
Atlassian Crowd versions 3.2.7 and prior, as well as versions 3.3.0 through 3.3.4, are affected by an insufficient session expiration vulnerability that allows remote attackers to authenticate using expired user sessions.
Understanding CVE-2018-20238
This CVE entry highlights a security issue in Atlassian Crowd that could potentially compromise user authentication.
What is CVE-2018-20238?
The vulnerability in Atlassian Crowd versions 3.2.7 and earlier, and versions 3.3.0 through 3.3.4, permits unauthorized access through expired user sessions.
The Impact of CVE-2018-20238
The vulnerability enables remote attackers to authenticate using expired user sessions, posing a risk to the confidentiality and integrity of user accounts and sensitive data.
Technical Details of CVE-2018-20238
This section delves into the specifics of the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The insufficient session expiration vulnerability in Atlassian Crowd versions allows attackers to exploit expired user sessions for unauthorized access.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Atlassian Crowd versions 3.2.7 and earlier
- Atlassian Crowd versions 3.3.0 to 3.3.4
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers can leverage the vulnerability to authenticate using expired user sessions, bypassing normal security protocols.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2018-20238 requires immediate actions and long-term security measures.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Upgrade Atlassian Crowd to a patched version immediately
- Monitor user sessions for unusual activity
- Implement multi-factor authentication for enhanced security
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update and patch software to address security vulnerabilities
- Conduct security audits and penetration testing to identify weaknesses
- Educate users on secure session management practices
Patching and Updates
Atlassian has released patches to address the vulnerability. Ensure timely installation of these patches to secure systems against potential exploits.