CVE-2018-5223 : Security Advisory and Response

Fisheye and Crucible, developed by Atlassian, are affected by a vulnerability that allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code on Windows systems. This CVE was published on March 28, 2018.

Understanding CVE-2018-5223

This CVE affects Fisheye and Crucible versions prior to 4.4.6 and from 4.5.0 before 4.5.3. The vulnerability arises from improper validation of Mercurial repository URIs on Windows systems.

What is CVE-2018-5223?

The vulnerability in Fisheye and Crucible stems from a failure to validate Mercurial repository URIs properly. This flaw enables an attacker with repository addition permissions to execute arbitrary code on Windows systems running susceptible versions of the software.

The Impact of CVE-2018-5223

The vulnerability affects all versions of Fisheye and Crucible before 4.4.6 and from 4.5.0 before 4.5.3. If exploited, it allows attackers to run arbitrary code on Windows systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-5223

Fisheye and Crucible versions are susceptible to the following:

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in Fisheye and Crucible allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on Windows systems by manipulating Mercurial repository URIs.

Affected Systems and Versions

Fisheye and Crucible versions prior to 4.4.6
Fisheye and Crucible versions from 4.5.0 before 4.5.3

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers with repository addition permissions can exploit the vulnerability by injecting malicious code into Mercurial repository URIs.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2018-5223, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Fisheye and Crucible to version 4.4.6 or higher for 4.4.x versions.
Upgrade Fisheye and Crucible to version 4.5.3 or higher for 4.5.x versions.
Monitor and restrict repository addition permissions.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update Fisheye and Crucible to the latest versions.
Implement strict access controls and permissions to prevent unauthorized repository modifications.

Patching and Updates

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