CVE-2017-18080 in Bamboo
Summary
by MITRE
The saveConfigureSecurity resource in Atlassian Bamboo before version 6.3.1 allows remote attackers to modify security settings via a Cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/01/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-18080 affects Atlassian Bamboo versions prior to 6.3.1 and represents a critical cross-site request forgery vulnerability within the saveConfigureSecurity resource. This flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate security configurations without proper authorization, potentially compromising the entire Bamboo server infrastructure. The vulnerability exists in the web application's handling of security-related configuration changes, where the application fails to implement adequate anti-CSRF protection mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this weakness by tricking authenticated users into executing malicious requests that modify security settings, effectively undermining the security posture of the continuous integration and deployment platform. The impact extends beyond simple configuration changes as these security modifications could potentially grant unauthorized access to build artifacts, deployment credentials, or other sensitive operational data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the absence of proper CSRF token validation within the saveConfigureSecurity endpoint. When administrators or authorized users navigate to the security configuration page and subsequently submit changes, the application should verify that the request originates from a legitimate source within the same session. However, in affected versions, the application processes configuration updates without validating the presence or correctness of anti-CSRF tokens, making it possible for attackers to craft malicious requests that appear to come from authenticated users. This flaw aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery vulnerabilities, and represents a classic example of insufficient anti-CSRF protection mechanisms. The vulnerability can be exploited through various means including crafted web pages, email attachments, or malicious third-party applications that interact with the Bamboo instance.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations relying on Atlassian Bamboo for their CI/CD processes. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to modify authentication settings, alter build permissions, disable security features, or modify integration configurations with external systems. The implications are particularly severe in enterprise environments where Bamboo serves as a central hub for software deployment and automation. Attackers could potentially disable security monitoring, modify user access controls, or establish backdoor access paths that persist even after the initial compromise. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the network or system, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with public-facing CI/CD infrastructure. This type of attack can be categorized under the ATT&CK technique T1078 which involves legitimate credentials and privileges to gain access to systems, and T1566 which covers social engineering tactics to execute attacks.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies including updating to Atlassian Bamboo version 6.3.1 or later, which contains the necessary CSRF protection fixes. The update process should be prioritized as it addresses the root cause of the vulnerability through proper token validation mechanisms. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing additional security controls such as web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious CSRF attack patterns, though this represents a secondary defense mechanism. Security teams should also review existing access controls and monitoring configurations to ensure that any unauthorized configuration changes are promptly detected and investigated. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing comprehensive security testing procedures including automated scanning for known vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider conducting regular security assessments of their CI/CD infrastructure to identify similar weaknesses that could be exploited in other components of their software delivery pipeline.