CVE-2023-22527
About
A template injection vulnerability on older versions of Confluence Data Center and Server allows an unauthenticated attacker to achieve RCE on an affected instance. Customers using an affected version must take immediate action.
Most recent supported versions of Confluence Data Center and Server are not affected by this vulnerability as it was ultimately mitigated during regular version updates. However, Atlassian recommends that customers take care to install the latest version to protect their instances from non-critical vulnerabilities outlined in Atlassian’s January Security Bulletin.
Rainforest analyst review
This is a server-side template injection in the Confluence Data Center and Server request-handling path. Older versions evaluate attacker-controlled input as an OGNL/Velocity template, so an unauthenticated attacker who sends a crafted request has their input interpreted as code rather than data. That yields direct remote code execution on the Confluence instance with no login and no user interaction, and the injection can be reached through a normally accessible endpoint.
Confluence is a central knowledge base holding internal documentation, architecture notes, and frequently embedded credentials and tokens, which makes any RCE on it a high-value foothold. Atlassian rated it critical and urged immediate action, and mass exploitation with public proof-of-concept code followed within days, feeding cryptomining, web-shell deployment, and broader intrusion. Confluence has a long history as a repeatedly-targeted product, so exposed instances get found fast. Upgrade to a fixed release immediately; given how quickly exploitation began, treat any internet-reachable instance as potentially compromised and hunt for injected templates, unexpected admin accounts, and web shells rather than relying on the patch alone.
References
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/176789/Atlassian-Confluence-SSTI-Injection.html
- https://confluence.atlassian.com/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=1333335615
- https://jira.atlassian.com/browse/CONFSERVER-93833
- https://www.vicarius.io/vsociety/posts/pwning-confluence-via-ognl-injection-for-fun-and-learning-cve-2023-22527
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2023-22527
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Frequently asked questions
What is CVE-2023-22527?
A template injection vulnerability on older versions of Confluence Data Center and Server allows an unauthenticated attacker to achieve RCE on an affected instance. Customers using an affected version must take immediate action. Most recent supported versions of Confluence Data Center and Server are not affected by this vulnerability as it was ultimately mitigated during regular version updates.
How severe is CVE-2023-22527?
CVE-2023-22527 carries a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8, rated critical. On the Rainforest Risk Index — which weighs the severity alongside how easy the flaw is to reach and how broad its impact is — it scores 99 out of 100, in the critical band.
How is CVE-2023-22527 exploited?
According to the CVSS vector (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H): attack vector Network, attack complexity Low, privileges required None, user interaction None. Impact on confidentiality High, integrity High and availability High.
Which products are affected by CVE-2023-22527?
Public advisories list the following as affected: confluence data center, confluence server. Check the references on this page for the exact versions each vendor confirms.
How do I fix CVE-2023-22527?
Apply the fix the vendor published — the references on this page link to the primary advisories and patches. When patching can't happen right away, reduce the exposure of the affected component and watch it for exploitation attempts. Rainforest customers see this vulnerability correlated to their own assets and prioritized by real exposure, not by score alone.
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