CVE-2023-22515:Unauthenticated Remote Code Execution Vulnerability in Atlassian Confluence

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CVE-2023-22515 is a critical vulnerability in Atlassian Confluence Data Center and Server that allows external attackers to create unauthorized administrator accounts and gain complete control over vulnerable instances without authentication. This vulnerability affects publicly accessible Confluence installations and has been actively exploited in the wild. Atlassian Cloud sites accessed via atlassian.net domains are not affected by this vulnerability.

Overview

This vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to exploit a flaw in Confluence Data Center and Server to create administrator accounts without authorization. Once an attacker creates an admin account, they can execute arbitrary code on the server, access sensitive information, and potentially compromise the entire system. The vulnerability has been actively exploited by threat actors to deploy web shells, cryptocurrency miners, and other malicious payloads. The issue is particularly dangerous because it requires no authentication and affects default configurations of Confluence installations that are exposed to the internet.

Remediation

  1. Immediately update Confluence Data Center and Server to one of the following fixed versions:

    • 8.5.3
    • 8.4.3
    • 8.3.4
    • 8.2.4
    • 8.1.5
    • 8.0.6
    • 7.19.16

  2. If immediate patching is not possible:

    • Restrict network access to your Confluence server
    • Implement IP-based access controls
    • Deploy a web application firewall with rules to block exploitation attempts

  3. After patching:

    • Conduct a thorough security audit of your Confluence instance
    • Review all user accounts, particularly administrator accounts
    • Check for unauthorized changes or suspicious activities
    • Scan for potential backdoors or malware that may have been installed

  4. If you suspect compromise:

    • Isolate the affected system
    • Restore from a known clean backup
    • Reset all credentials
    • Monitor for unusual network activity

References

  1. Atlassian Security Advisory: https://confluence.atlassian.com/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=1295682276
  2. Atlassian FAQ for CVE-2023-22515: https://confluence.atlassian.com/display/KB/FAQ+for+CVE-2023-22515
  3. Atlassian Jira Issue: https://jira.atlassian.com/browse/CONFSERVER-92475
  4. Exploit Details: http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/175225/Atlassian-Confluence-Unauthenticated-Remote-Code-Execution.html

Early Warning

Customers using Armis Early Warning were notified about this vulnerability before it appeared in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog, enabling them to assess their exposure and act proactively. Armis offers these examples of CVEs already included in CISA KEV for potential customers. Click here to learn how to receive alerts earlier.

Armis Alert Date
Oct 4, 2023
CISA KEV Date
Oct 5, 2023
1day early

Industry ExposureMost to least
This section illustrates the prevalence of a specific Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) across various industries based on customer reports. The ranking displays industries from the most to least affected by this particular vulnerability, offering valuable insight into where this CVE has been most frequently observed. This information can help organizations within these sectors prioritize their security efforts, understand their relative risk exposure compared to their peers, and focus remediation strategies where they are most needed. By understanding the industry-specific impact, organizations can make more informed decisions regarding patching, resource allocation, and overall risk management related to this CVE.

  1. Accommodation & Food Services: Low
    Accommodation & Food Services
  2. Administrative, Support, Waste Management & Remediation Services: Low
    Administrative, Support, Waste Management & Remediation Services
  3. Agriculture, Forestry Fishing & Hunting: Low
    Agriculture, Forestry Fishing & Hunting
  4. Arts, Entertainment & Recreation: Low
    Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
  5. Construction: Low
    Construction
  6. Educational Services: Low
    Educational Services
  7. Finance and Insurance: Low
    Finance and Insurance
  8. Health Care & Social Assistance: Low
    Health Care & Social Assistance
  9. Information: Low
    Information
  10. Management of Companies & Enterprises: Low
    Management of Companies & Enterprises
  11. Manufacturing: Low
    Manufacturing
  12. Mining: Low
    Mining
  13. Other Services (except Public Administration): Low
    Other Services (except Public Administration)
  14. Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services: Low
    Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services
  15. Public Administration: Low
    Public Administration
  16. Real Estate Rental & Leasing: Low
    Real Estate Rental & Leasing
  17. Retail Trade: Low
    Retail Trade
  18. Transportation & Warehousing: Low
    Transportation & Warehousing
  19. Utilities: Low
    Utilities
  20. Wholesale Trade: Low
    Wholesale Trade

Focus on What Matters

  1. See Everything.
  2. Identify True Risk.
  3. Proactively Mitigate Threats.

Let's talk!

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