CVE-2019-3394 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A vulnerability involving local file disclosure was discovered in Confluence Server and Confluence Data Center during page exporting. By exploiting this vulnerability, an attacker who has editing permissions for a page can access arbitrary files located in the <install-directory>/confluence/WEB-INF directory of the server. These files may include configuration files used for integrating with other services, potentially leading to the exposure of sensitive information such as credentials for LDAP integration. This vulnerability affects all versions of Confluence Server from 6.1.0 to 6.6.16, from 6.7.0 to 6.13.7, and from 6.14.0 to 6.15.8.

Understanding CVE-2019-3394

This section provides an overview of the CVE-2019-3394 vulnerability.

What is CVE-2019-3394?

CVE-2019-3394 is a local file disclosure vulnerability in Confluence Server and Confluence Data Center that allows an attacker with editing permissions to access arbitrary files on the server, potentially leading to the exposure of sensitive information.

The Impact of CVE-2019-3394

The exploitation of this vulnerability can result in the leakage of sensitive information, such as LDAP credentials, if the Confluence server is configured to use LDAP as its user repository.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-3394

This section delves into the technical aspects of CVE-2019-3394.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability involves a path traversal issue that enables unauthorized access to files in the server's directory.

Affected Systems and Versions

Confluence Server versions 6.1.0 to 6.6.16
Confluence Server versions 6.7.0 to 6.13.7
Confluence Server versions 6.14.0 to 6.15.8

Exploitation Mechanism

An attacker with editing permissions for a page can exploit the vulnerability during page exporting to access arbitrary files on the server.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines steps to mitigate and prevent the CVE-2019-3394 vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Confluence Server to the fixed versions: 6.6.16, 6.13.7, and 6.15.8
Restrict editing permissions to trusted users
Monitor access to sensitive directories

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly review and update server configurations
Conduct security training for users to prevent unauthorized access

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches promptly
Stay informed about security advisories and updates from Atlassian