CVE-2023-22518 Atlassian Confluence Data Center and Server: login or permission bypass
In plain words: A door that should be locked is not: part of the system can be reached without a valid login or permission. The attacker gets in as a user or administrator without knowing a password.
Confirmed exploited by CISA on · US federal patch deadline Nov 28, 2023
What to do
- Install Atlassian's security update for Confluence Data Center and Server. If no update exists, follow the vendor's workaround or stop using the product until one ships.
- Keep a list of every internet-facing server you run so nothing is forgotten.
- Patch anything in this catalog first, ahead of normal patch cycles.
- Put admin and file-transfer apps behind a VPN or single sign-on instead of the open internet.
Who is affected
Work IT. Aimed mostly at company systems — you are affected through the companies you use, not your own phone.
What's at risk: Mass data theft and ransomware: a single flaw in a file-transfer or email server has exposed thousands of organisations at once.
The details
- Official name
- Atlassian Confluence Data Center and Server Improper Authorization Vulnerability
- Product
- Atlassian Confluence Data Center and Server
- CISA description
- Atlassian Confluence Data Center and Server contain an improper authorization vulnerability that can result in significant data loss when exploited by an unauthenticated attacker. There is no impact on confidentiality since the attacker cannot exfiltrate any data.
- Type of flaw
- Login or permission bypass (CWE-863)
- Confirmed exploited
- Nov 7, 2023 — known to be used in ransomware attacks
- US federal patch deadline
- Nov 28, 2023
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Answering about CVE-2023-22518 ·
Questions about CVE-2023-22518
Is CVE-2023-22518 being exploited?
Yes. CISA added CVE-2023-22518 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on Nov 7, 2023, which means there is reliable evidence of real-world attacks, including by ransomware groups.
How do I fix CVE-2023-22518?
Install Atlassian's security update for Confluence Data Center and Server. If no update exists, follow the vendor's workaround or stop using the product until one ships. Keep a list of every internet-facing server you run so nothing is forgotten.
Am I affected by CVE-2023-22518?
Only if you use Atlassian Confluence Data Center and Server. Aimed mostly at company systems — you are affected through the companies you use, not your own phone.