CVE-2017-9508 in FishEye
Summary
by MITRE
Various resources in Atlassian FishEye and Crucible before version 4.4.1 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary HTML or JavaScript via a cross site scripting (XSS) vulnerability through the name of a repository or review file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/25/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9508 represents a critical cross site scripting flaw in Atlassian FishEye and Crucible platforms prior to version 4.4.1. This vulnerability resides in the handling of user-supplied input within repository names and review file names, creating an avenue for remote attackers to execute malicious code through crafted HTML or JavaScript payloads. The flaw operates by failing to properly sanitize or escape user-controllable data before rendering it within web pages, allowing attackers to inject persistent or reflected XSS payloads that can compromise user sessions and execute unauthorized actions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web application's user interface components. When users create or modify repository names or review file names, the application stores this data without adequate sanitization measures, particularly when the data contains special characters or script tags. This weakness enables attackers to embed malicious code within seemingly legitimate repository or file names, which then gets executed when other users view these elements within the FishEye or Crucible interface. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of both products, as these elements are frequently accessed and displayed to authenticated users within the web application's user interface.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-9508 extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive repository information and system functionality. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, inject malicious code into the application's interface, or even escalate privileges within the platform if proper access controls are not in place. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because repository names and review file names are fundamental components of the application's functionality and are regularly accessed by users, making the attack surface quite broad. This flaw directly relates to CWE-79 which defines the weakness of cross-site scripting and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script injection attacks, representing a common vector for initial access and privilege escalation within web-based development environments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected systems to version 4.4.1 or later, which implements proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures including web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious input patterns, regular security scanning of the application interface, and enhanced monitoring of user activity for signs of unauthorized modifications to repository or file names. Input validation should be strengthened to reject or sanitize potentially dangerous characters and patterns, while output encoding should be implemented consistently throughout the application's user interface rendering components. Security teams should also conduct regular training for developers on secure coding practices and maintain comprehensive audit logs of repository and file name modifications to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of implementing defense-in-depth strategies and proper data validation at all input points within web applications.