What is CVE-2020-14145?
CVE-2020-14145 is a security vulnerability discovered in Atlassian Crowd, an identity management tool used for single sign-on (SSO) and user management in enterprise environments. This vulnerability allows attackers to perform Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks by exploiting improper input sanitization in certain components of the application. It affects versions of Atlassian Crowd prior to 3.7.2, potentially enabling attackers to inject and execute malicious scripts within the context of the affected web application.
CVSS Score and Severity
- CVSS Score: 6.1 (Medium)
- Severity: The CVSS score of 6.1 out of 10 indicates a medium severity level. The potential for XSS attacks to compromise user sessions and manipulate the user interface makes this vulnerability a concern, especially in environments where Atlassian Crowd is used for critical identity management.
So what’s the problem?
The core problem with CVE-2020-14145 lies in its ability to allow attackers to inject and execute malicious scripts through XSS. If an attacker can exploit this vulnerability, they can manipulate the behavior of the web application, steal sensitive data like session tokens, and potentially take over user accounts. Given that Atlassian Crowd is often used to manage user identities across multiple applications, a successful attack could have widespread implications for an organization’s security posture.
Background and Context
Background on the vulnerability
CVE-2020-14145 was identified in 2020 during a security review of Atlassian Crowd. Atlassian Crowd is a widely used tool for managing user authentication, SSO, and authorization across various applications. The vulnerability is rooted in the improper sanitization of user input in specific components of the application, allowing attackers to craft malicious payloads that can bypass security mechanisms and execute within the user’s browser.
Description of the Vulnerability (CVE-2020-14145)
The vulnerability occurs because certain components of Atlassian Crowd fail to properly sanitize input data before rendering it in the browser. Specifically, user input is reflected back in the web application without adequate escaping, allowing attackers to inject scripts that execute within the context of the user’s session. This type of vulnerability is commonly associated with XSS attacks, where unsanitized input is used to manipulate the DOM or execute arbitrary JavaScript.
Root Cause Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2020-14145 is the failure to properly sanitize and escape user input in the affected components of Atlassian Crowd. This lack of proper input handling allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that can be executed within the user’s session. The issue is exacerbated in environments where user input is displayed dynamically without sufficient security checks, making XSS attacks a viable threat.
Impact and Exploitation
The impact of CVE-2020-14145
Exploiting CVE-2020-14145 can have several significant impacts:
- Cross-Site Scripting (XSS): The primary impact is the potential for XSS attacks, where an attacker can inject and execute malicious scripts within the context of the web application. This can lead to unauthorized actions, data theft, or further compromise of user accounts.
- Session Hijacking: By exploiting XSS, an attacker could steal session tokens or cookies, allowing them to impersonate the victim and gain unauthorized access to the web application.
- User Interface Manipulation: Attackers could manipulate the user interface to mislead users, tricking them into performing unintended actions or disclosing sensitive information.
Exploit
To exploit CVE-2020-14145, an attacker would need to identify a vulnerable input field or parameter in Atlassian Crowd that fails to properly sanitize user input. The exploitation process involves:
- Crafting a malicious payload that includes JavaScript or HTML designed to execute within the user’s browser.
- Injecting this payload into the vulnerable input field or parameter.
- When the web application renders the unsanitized input, the malicious script is executed in the context of the user’s session, leading to potential compromise.
In-the-Wild Attacks
While there have been limited reports of in-the-wild exploitation of CVE-2020-14145, the nature of XSS vulnerabilities makes them a common target for attackers, particularly in environments where identity management is critical. Organizations using outdated versions of Atlassian Crowd are at higher risk, especially if the application is exposed to the internet or untrusted users.
Vulnerable code/package in the application
The vulnerable code is located within specific components of Atlassian Crowd that handle user input and render it in the browser. The affected versions are those prior to 3.7.2, where the vulnerability has been addressed by improving input sanitization.
Statistics on vulnerability
While specific statistics on the exploitation of CVE-2020-14145 are not widely available, XSS vulnerabilities are among the most common and frequently exploited in web applications. The widespread use of Atlassian Crowd in managing enterprise identity and access controls underscores the importance of addressing this vulnerability promptly.
Mitigation and Remediation
Mitigating CVE-2020-14145
Organizations and administrators can mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2020-14145 by:
- Updating Atlassian Crowd: The most effective mitigation is to update Atlassian Crowd to version 3.7.2 or later, where this vulnerability has been patched. The update includes improved input sanitization to prevent XSS attacks.
- Implementing Input Validation and Sanitization: Ensure that all user input is properly validated and sanitized before being rendered in the browser. This can help prevent the injection of malicious scripts.
- Content Security Policy (CSP): Implementing a robust Content Security Policy can help mitigate XSS attacks by restricting the sources of executable scripts on the web application.
Patch and Bypass: Fixes Added for CVE-2020-14145
The patch for CVE-2020-14145 involves changes to how Atlassian Crowd handles and sanitizes user input. Specifically, the update ensures that input data is properly escaped before being reflected in the browser, thereby preventing XSS vulnerabilities. Organizations should ensure that their installations of Atlassian Crowd are updated to the latest version to protect against this vulnerability.
Proactive response
A proactive security approach includes regularly updating web application software, conducting security audits to identify potential vulnerabilities, and educating users about the risks of XSS attacks. Developers should also be trained in secure coding practices to prevent similar issues from arising in future software versions.
Proof of Concept (POC)
A POC for CVE-2020-14145 could involve injecting a script via a vulnerable input field in Atlassian Crowd:
javascript –
<input type="text" name="username" value="<script>alert('XSS')</script>">When the input is rendered without proper sanitization, the script is executed, demonstrating the XSS vulnerability.
Real-world Impact and Response
Timeline/changelog
- June 2020: Discovery of CVE-2020-14145 during a security review of Atlassian Crowd.
- July 2020: Public disclosure of the vulnerability and release of Atlassian Crowd version 3.7.2, which includes the fix.
- August 2020: Continued advisories issued to administrators and users to update their Crowd installations and secure their applications against XSS attacks.
Observed Activity
Since its disclosure, there have been limited but notable instances of CVE-2020-14145 being targeted in the wild. Attackers have focused on exploiting unpatched instances of Atlassian Crowd, particularly in environments where the application is exposed to external users or the internet.
Mass Scanning
There have been no widespread reports of mass scanning specifically targeting CVE-2020-14145. However, automated tools that search for XSS vulnerabilities are commonly used by attackers to identify and exploit vulnerable web applications.
Vulnerable Server Discovery
Vulnerable instances of Atlassian Crowd can be discovered by attackers who scan for specific version information or look for web applications that exhibit behaviors indicative of unsanitized input handling. Administrators should ensure that their systems are properly configured and updated to prevent exploitation.
Reasoning and Scoring
Corporate networks impacted globally
CVE-2020-14145 has the potential to impact corporate networks globally, particularly in organizations that rely on Atlassian Crowd for managing user identities and access controls. The vulnerability can be exploited to perform XSS attacks, leading to the compromise of user accounts, session hijacking, and unauthorized actions within the web application.
Corporate numbers impacted by countries
- United States: Numerous enterprises in technology, finance, and government sectors use Atlassian Crowd, with many potentially at risk.
- Europe: Significant adoption of Atlassian Crowd in the business and IT sectors, leading to potential exposure.
- Asia: Extensive use of Atlassian Crowd in industries where identity management and access controls are critical.
Conclusion
Who should be paying attention to this?
System administrators, cybersecurity professionals, and organizations that use Atlassian Crowd for identity and access management should prioritize attention to CVE-2020-14145. Ensuring that systems are patched and secure is critical for maintaining the overall security of user accounts and the web application.
Who is exploiting it and how?
CVE-2020-14145 has been exploited by attackers who identify vulnerable instances of Atlassian Crowd. These attackers craft malicious scripts designed to exploit the XSS vulnerability, leading to session hijacking, unauthorized access, and manipulation of the user interface.
How are things likely to develop?
As more organizations update their Atlassian Crowd installations, the risk of widespread exploitation decreases. However, systems that remain unpatched are still vulnerable to attack, and the potential for XSS attacks remains a concern. Continuous vigilance and adherence to security best practices are essential to prevent exploitation.
How long has it been around?
CVE-2020-14145 was discovered and disclosed in mid-2020, but the underlying issue with improper input sanitization may have existed in earlier versions of Atlassian Crowd. This highlights the importance of regular security reviews and updates to address potential vulnerabilities.
