CVE-2017-16860 in Application Links
Summary
by MITRE
The invalidRedirectUrl template in Atlassian Application Links before version 5.2.7, from version 5.3.0 before version 5.3.4 and from version 5.4.0 before version 5.4.3 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary HTML or JavaScript via a cross site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the redirectUrl parameter link in the redirect warning message.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/04/2020
The vulnerability CVE-2017-16860 represents a critical cross site scripting flaw in Atlassian Application Links, specifically within the invalidRedirectUrl template functionality. This issue affects multiple version ranges including pre-5.2.7, versions 5.3.0-5.3.3, and 5.4.0-5.4.2 of the application. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of the redirectUrl parameter within the redirect warning message context, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute malicious code through crafted HTML or JavaScript payloads.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the application processes user-supplied redirectUrl parameters without proper sanitization before rendering them in the redirect warning message. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious URLs containing XSS payloads that get executed in the context of a victim's browser when they encounter the warning message. This flaw falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically representing a stored XSS vulnerability where malicious content is injected into the application's response and subsequently executed by other users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform session hijacking, data theft, and privilege escalation attacks. An attacker could potentially redirect users to malicious sites, steal authentication cookies, or inject malicious scripts that persistently compromise user sessions. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the redirect warning context, which users may encounter during legitimate application usage, making social engineering attacks more effective.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 for Account Access Removal and T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution, as it enables attackers to manipulate application behavior and execute malicious code. The attack surface is broad as it affects the core Application Links functionality, which is integral to Atlassian's ecosystem integration capabilities. Organizations using affected versions face significant risk of unauthorized access to their Atlassian applications, potentially compromising sensitive data and system integrity.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching to versions 5.2.7, 5.3.4, and 5.4.3 respectively, as well as implementing input validation and output encoding for all user-supplied parameters. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious redirectUrl parameter patterns, and conduct security reviews of all application links configurations to ensure proper sanitization of user inputs. Additionally, security awareness training for administrators can help identify potential exploitation attempts and ensure proper monitoring of application logs for suspicious redirect activities.