# CVE-2023-22518: Atlassian Confluence Data Center and Server Improper Authorization Vulnerability

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2023-22518-atlassian-confluence-data-center-and-server-improper  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2023-11-07. Updated: 2026-05-09  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2023-22518 · Severity: critical · CVSS 10 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2023-11-07

An improper authorization vulnerability in Atlassian Confluence Data Center and Server allows unauthenticated attackers to reset the instance and create a new administrator account. This can lead to a full loss of confidentiality, integrity, and availability as the attacker gains complete administrative control.

Technologies: [Atlassian Confluence Data Center](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/confluence-data-center), [Atlassian Confluence Server](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/confluence-server), [Atlassian Server](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/server). Vendors: [Atlassian](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/atlassian).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2023-22518 exploited in the wild?** Yes. CVE-2023-22518 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 7 November 2023. Treat it as urgent.

**How severe is CVE-2023-22518?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 10, published 7 November 2023.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Atlassian Confluence Data Center All versions prior to 7.19.16, 8.3.4, 8.4.4, 8.5.3, and 8.6.0; Atlassian Confluence Server All versions prior to 7.19.16, 8.3.4, 8.4.4, 8.5.3, and 8.6.0.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2023-22518?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2023-22518 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a network appliance.

**Am I affected by CVE-2023-22518?** Check whether you run Atlassian Confluence Data Center, Atlassian Confluence Server or Atlassian Server. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Affected products

- Atlassian Confluence Data Center All versions prior to 7.19.16, 8.3.4, 8.4.4, 8.5.3, and 8.6.0
- Atlassian Confluence Server All versions prior to 7.19.16, 8.3.4, 8.4.4, 8.5.3, and 8.6.0

## Timeline

- 2023-11-07: disclosed
- 2023-11-07: kev added: Added to CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog
- 2023-11-07: advisory

## Related threats

- [Atlassian Data Center arbitrary file access without authentication](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-21589-h3-summary-this-is-a-vulnerability-in-bitbucket-data-center)
- [Atlassian Confluence Data Center DoS in authenticated request handling](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-21588-atlassian-confluence-data-center-dos-in-authenticated-request)
- [Atlassian Confluence Data Center improper authorization](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-21586-atlassian-confluence-data-center-improper-authorization)
- [Atlassian Confluence Data Center information disclosure](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-21579-atlassian-confluence-data-center-information-disclosure)
- [Atlassian Confluence Data Center denial of service](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-21577-atlassian-confluence-data-center-denial-of-service)