CVE-2018-13388 in FishEye
Summary
by MITRE
The review attachment resource in Atlassian Fisheye and Crucible before version 4.5.3 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary HTML or JavaScript via a cross site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in attached files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/01/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-13388 represents a critical cross site scripting flaw within Atlassian Fisheye and Crucible platforms prior to version 4.5.3. This security weakness specifically affects the review attachment resource functionality, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute malicious code through carefully crafted attachments. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data within file attachments. Attackers can exploit this flaw by uploading malicious files that contain embedded HTML or JavaScript code, which then gets executed when other users view the attachments within the review process. This particular vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross Site Scripting, which is classified as a critical weakness in web applications where untrusted data is improperly incorporated into web pages without proper validation or encoding. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a code injection technique under the T1059.007 sub-technique, specifically targeting web application interfaces where user input is not adequately sanitized.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it enables attackers to establish persistent access to systems through the execution of malicious scripts. When users review attachments containing crafted payloads, the embedded scripts execute within the context of their browser sessions, potentially allowing attackers to steal session cookies, perform actions on behalf of authenticated users, or redirect victims to malicious websites. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Fisheye and Crucible are used for code review processes, as these platforms typically contain sensitive development information, source code, and project documentation that attackers can access through successful exploitation. The attack surface is widened by the fact that the vulnerability exists in the review attachment functionality, which is a core feature used by development teams for collaborative code assessment and feedback processes. This makes the exploitation more likely to succeed as legitimate users regularly interact with attachment features during their normal workflow operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-13388 primarily focus on immediate version upgrades to Atlassian Fisheye and Crucible 4.5.3 or later releases where the XSS vulnerability has been patched. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation mechanisms that sanitize all file attachments before processing, particularly focusing on removing or encoding potentially dangerous HTML tags and JavaScript code. Network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs, while web application firewalls should be configured to detect and block suspicious attachment content patterns. Regular security assessments and penetration testing of the review attachment functionality should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components. The remediation process must include thorough testing of the updated platform to ensure that legitimate functionality remains intact while the XSS vulnerability is eliminated. Additionally, security awareness training for developers and team members using the platforms should emphasize the dangers of opening untrusted attachments and the importance of maintaining current software versions. Organizations should also implement automated scanning tools that can detect potentially malicious content within file attachments before they are processed by the application. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input validation and output encoding in web applications, particularly in collaborative development environments where user-generated content is prevalent.