CVE-2017-18103 in Atlassian
Summary
by MITRE
The atlassian-http library, as used in various Atlassian products, before version 2.0.2 allows remote attackers to spoof web content in the Mozilla Firefox Browser through uploaded files that have a content-type of application/mathml+xml.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/08/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-18103 resides within the atlassian-http library component that is integrated into multiple Atlassian products including Confluence and Jira. This flaw represents a significant security weakness that enables remote attackers to manipulate web content presentation in Mozilla Firefox browsers through carefully crafted file uploads. The vulnerability specifically targets the handling of files with content-type application/mathml+xml which are processed by the library's HTTP request parsing mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this weakness by uploading malicious files that contain MathML content, which then gets rendered in the browser context, potentially leading to content spoofing and user deception.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and content-type handling within the atlassian-http library. When the library processes uploaded files with the application/mathml+xml content-type, it fails to properly sanitize or validate the embedded content before rendering it in the browser environment. This insufficient validation creates a pathway for attackers to inject malicious MathML code that can manipulate how web content appears to users. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because MathML content can be rendered directly by modern browsers including Firefox, and the library's failure to properly isolate or validate this content type creates an attack surface where malicious payloads can be executed in the context of the user's browser session.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple content spoofing to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks including cross-site scripting and user interface redressing. When users view files uploaded through vulnerable Atlassian products, they may be subjected to misleading content that appears to originate from legitimate sources within the organization. This can lead to social engineering attacks where users are tricked into believing they are interacting with authentic system interfaces or documentation. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely heavily on file upload capabilities within Atlassian platforms, particularly those where users can upload documents, images, or other content that might be processed through the atlassian-http library.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of their Atlassian products to version 2.0.2 or later where the issue has been resolved. The fix typically involves enhanced content-type validation and proper sanitization of MathML content within the HTTP library's processing pipeline. Security teams should also implement additional monitoring for suspicious file uploads and consider network-level controls to restrict or flag content-type application/mathml+xml in file upload scenarios. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, "Improper Input Validation," and represents a specific instance of how content-type handling failures can lead to browser-based security issues. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for script injection and T1566 for social engineering techniques, as it enables attackers to craft deceptive user interfaces that can manipulate user behavior and perception within the browser environment.