CVE-2023-22518: Atlassian Confluence Data Center · Improper Authorization
Affects Atlassian Confluence Data CenterSource CVE Database V5
Exploited in the wild · used in ransomware campaigns · KEV due 28 Nov 2023 · public exploit available (Metasploit) · 99% EPSS : apply the vendor's fix or mitigations to Atlassian Confluence Data Center now.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 06:26 UTC
- KEV deadline
- US federal agencies must patch by this date; a sensible deadline for everyone else.
- Ransomware
- Used in ransomware campaigns
- EPSS
- 99.9% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 99% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:HExploitation evidence
t = 0 is the CVE’s publication on cve.org
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 31 Oct 2023
Detectable: evidence found.
nuclei template: Atlassian Confluence Server - Improper Authorization
Weaponised: evidence found.
Exploited in the wildExploited: evidence found.
Listed in CISA KEV 7 days after disclosure
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: evidence found.
1 exposed host found; no attack traffic recorded
Timeline
CVE ID reserved
by atlassian
, 303 days before disclosure
CVE published
on cve.org
, t = 0
Added to CISA KEV (opens in a new tab)
exploitation confirmed · ransomware use known
, 7 days after disclosure
KEV remediation due
US federal deadline
, 28 days after disclosure
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), CISA KEV (opens in a new tab), OffSeq Mirage (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 2026-10-26.
What to do
Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Mavencom.atlassian.confluence/confluence-data-centerpkg:maven/com.atlassian.confluence/confluence-data-centerOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
Description
All versions of Confluence Data Center and Server are affected by this unexploited vulnerability. This Improper Authorization vulnerability allows an unauthenticated attacker to reset Confluence and create a Confluence instance administrator account. Using this account, an attacker can then perform all administrative actions that are available to Confluence instance administrator leading to - but not limited to - full loss of confidentiality, integrity and availability. Atlassian Cloud sites are not affected by this vulnerability. If your Confluence site is accessed via an atlassian.net domain, it is hosted by Atlassian and is not vulnerable to this issue.
References
- confluence.atlassian.com/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=1311473907 (opens in a new tab)
- jira.atlassian.com/browse/CONFSERVER-93142 (opens in a new tab)
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/176264/Atlassian-Confluence-Improper-Authorization-Code-Execution.html (opens in a new tab)
- cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2023-22518 (opens in a new tab)