CVE-2019-3397 in Bitbucket Data Center
Summary
by MITRE
Atlassian Bitbucket Data Center licensed instances starting with version 5.13.0 before 5.13.6 (the fixed version for 5.13.x), from 5.14.0 before 5.14.4 (fixed version for 5.14.x), from 5.15.0 before 5.15.3 (fixed version for 5.15.x), from 5.16.0 before 5.16.3 (fixed version for 5.16.x), from 6.0.0 before 6.0.3 (fixed version for 6.0.x), and from 6.1.0 before 6.1.2 (the fixed version for 6.1.x) allow remote attackers who have admin permissions to achieve remote code execution on a Bitbucket server instance via path traversal through the Data Center migration tool.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/26/2023
Atlassian Bitbucket Data Center instances running vulnerable versions present a critical remote code execution vulnerability that stems from improper input validation within the Data Center migration tool. This vulnerability specifically affects licensed instances and manifests through path traversal attacks that can be exploited by authenticated administrators. The flaw exists in the migration tool's handling of file paths during data center migration processes, creating an opportunity for attackers to manipulate file system access through carefully crafted inputs. The vulnerability impacts multiple version streams including 5.13.x through 6.1.x, with each major release line requiring specific patch versions for remediation. This represents a significant security gap that directly violates the principle of least privilege, as administrative credentials can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code on the underlying server.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through path traversal techniques that manipulate the migration tool's file handling mechanisms. When administrators perform data center migrations, the tool processes file paths without adequate sanitization, allowing attackers to traverse the file system and potentially execute malicious code with the privileges of the Bitbucket service account. The vulnerability specifically targets the migration tool's implementation where user-supplied paths are not properly validated against the expected file system boundaries. This weakness creates a direct pathway for attackers to bypass normal access controls and execute arbitrary commands on the server, effectively granting them complete control over the Bitbucket instance. The path traversal mechanism enables attackers to access restricted directories and files that should normally be protected from unauthorized access, making this a severe privilege escalation vulnerability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with complete compromise of the Bitbucket Data Center instance. Once exploited, attackers can access all repositories, user credentials, and sensitive data stored within the Bitbucket environment. The vulnerability also enables persistent access through the execution of malicious code that can establish backdoors or maintain long-term presence within the system. Organizations using Bitbucket Data Center are particularly at risk since the exploit requires only administrative privileges, which are often less tightly controlled than system-level administrative access. The vulnerability affects the entire data center infrastructure, potentially compromising multiple instances if not properly isolated. This represents a critical failure in the application's security architecture, as it allows for arbitrary code execution through a legitimate administrative tool, violating fundamental security principles of input validation and privilege separation.
Organizations should immediately implement the vendor-provided patches for their specific Bitbucket Data Center versions to remediate this vulnerability. The patched versions address the path traversal issue by implementing proper input validation and sanitization within the migration tool's file handling processes. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit administrative access to Bitbucket instances, reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation. Monitoring for suspicious migration activities and anomalous file system access patterns can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their Bitbucket installations to identify any unauthorized administrative accounts or misconfigurations that could facilitate exploitation. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Path Traversal and ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and command execution, making it a high-priority remediation item for organizations relying on Atlassian Bitbucket Data Center for their source code management infrastructure.