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GHSA-93xw-j965-9mx3
Summary
The upload_attachment method in confluence/attachments.py reads and uploads arbitrary local files to Confluence without calling validate_safe_path(). Both download methods (download_attachment at line 223, download_content_attachments at line 272) correctly call validate_safe_path() before writing files, but the upload path at lines 35-79 skips this check entirely.
An AI agent connected via MCP (or an attacker influencing that agent through prompt injection) can read any file on the host and exfiltrate it by uploading it as a Confluence page attachment.
Vulnerable Code
File: src/mcp_atlassian/confluence/attachments.py, lines 62-79
# No validate_safe_path() call anywhere in this method
if not os.path.isabs(file_path):
file_path = os.path.abspath(file_path)
if not os.path.exists(file_path):
return {"success": False, "error": f"File not found: {file_path}"}
filename = os.path.basename(file_path)
attachment = self._upload_attachment_direct(
content_id, file_path, filename, comment, minor_edit
)
The validate_safe_path function is already imported at line 9 of the same file, and used in the download methods. It was just not added to the upload path.
Proof of Concept
Tested with mcp-atlassian 0.21.1 on Python 3.11 (EC2, Amazon Linux 2023).
import inspect
from mcp_atlassian.confluence.attachments import AttachmentsMixin
# Confirm: no validate_safe_path in upload
source = inspect.getsource(AttachmentsMixin.upload_attachment)
assert "validate_safe_path" not in source # passes
# Confirm: validate_safe_path IS in downloads
assert "validate_safe_path" in inspect.getsource(AttachmentsMixin.download_attachment) # passes
assert "validate_safe_path" in inspect.getsource(AttachmentsMixin.download_content_attachments) # passes
An MCP tool call like this reads /etc/passwd and uploads it to Confluence:
{"tool": "confluence_upload_attachment", "arguments": {"content_id": "123456", "file_path": "/etc/passwd"}}
Impact
Exfiltration of any file readable by the MCP server process: SSH keys, AWS credentials, .env files, /etc/passwd, application secrets. Data leaves the local machine and lands on a remote Confluence instance accessible to other users.
Suggested Fix
Add validate_safe_path(file_path) before the os.path.exists() check in upload_attachment, matching the existing pattern in the download methods. The function is already imported.
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The vulnerability can be exploited over the network without needing physical access. It is easy for an attacker to exploit this vulnerability. An attacker needs basic access or low-level privileges. No user interaction is needed for the attacker to exploit this vulnerability. The vulnerability can affect other systems as well, not just the initial system. There is a high impact on the confidentiality of the information.
Exploitation activity has been observed. Apply available patches or mitigations urgently.
The exploit probability is very low. The vulnerability is unlikely to be exploited in the next 30 days.
We did not find any exploit available. Neither in GitHub repositories nor in the Exploit-Database.
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