CVE-2017-9507 in Crucible
Summary
by MITRE
The review dashboard resource in Atlassian Crucible from version 4.1.0 before version 4.4.1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary HTML or JavaScript via a cross site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the review filter title parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/25/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9507 represents a critical cross site scripting flaw within Atlassian Crucible's review dashboard functionality. This issue affects versions 4.1.0 through 4.4.0 of the software, where the review filter title parameter fails to properly sanitize user input, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code within the context of affected user sessions. The vulnerability specifically resides in the dashboard resource handling mechanism that processes filter titles, allowing attackers to inject malicious payloads that can persist and execute when other users view the affected dashboard elements.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows standard XSS attack patterns where an attacker crafts a malicious payload containing HTML or JavaScript code and submits it through the review filter title parameter. When the application renders this parameter without proper sanitization or encoding, the injected code executes in the browser context of authenticated users who access the affected dashboard. This creates a persistent threat vector where malicious code can perform actions such as stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or modifying dashboard content to deceive users. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which categorizes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically addressing the failure to properly encode or escape user-controllable data before including it in web output.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-9507 extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it provides attackers with the ability to establish persistent footholds within development environments where Crucible is deployed. Since Crucible is commonly used for code review processes, attackers can potentially manipulate review data, inject malicious code into the review workflow, or redirect users to phishing sites that appear legitimate within the development context. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 which focuses on establishing persistence through web shell creation, as the XSS payload could enable attackers to maintain access to the system through manipulated dashboard elements that users regularly interact with.
Organizations utilizing Atlassian Crucible in their development workflows face significant risk from this vulnerability, particularly in environments where multiple developers interact with the same review dashboard instances. The attack surface is amplified when considering that the vulnerability affects the core dashboard functionality that is frequently accessed by development teams. Mitigation strategies should include immediate application of Atlassian's patched version 4.4.1, implementing proper input validation and output encoding for all user-controllable parameters, and deploying web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious payload patterns. Additionally, security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of all Atlassian products and related components to identify potential similar issues within their software ecosystem. The remediation process should also include user education regarding the dangers of clicking on suspicious links or interacting with untrusted dashboard elements, as well as implementing proper access controls and monitoring mechanisms to detect unauthorized modifications to dashboard configurations.