CVE-2022-26138
CriticalExploitedPublic exploitThe Atlassian Questions For Confluence app for Confluence Server and Data Center creates a Confluence user account in the confluence-users group with the username disabledsystemuser and a hardcoded password.
Published Aug 1, 2022 · Updated Jan 12, 2026
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2022-26138 is a critical-severity vulnerability (CVSS 9.8 v3.1) affecting Questions For Confluence (Atlassian).
- It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Jul 29, 2022 and is known to be used in ransomware campaigns. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 98% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- No fixed version is listed yet; check the vendor advisory for mitigations.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
CVSS v3.1
9.8
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
98%
Higher than 99.9% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
Yes
4 catalog listings, used by ransomware
Public exploit code
Available
Proof-of-concept or weaponized module
Get the full CVE-2022-26138 brief as a PDF
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Description
The Atlassian Questions For Confluence app for Confluence Server and Data Center creates a Confluence user account in the confluence-users group with the username disabledsystemuser and a hardcoded password. A remote, unauthenticated attacker with knowledge of the hardcoded password could exploit this to log into Confluence and access all content accessible to users in the confluence-users group. This user account is created when installing versions 2.7.34, 2.7.35, and 3.0.2 of the app.
Known-Exploited Catalog Listings
| Catalog | Added | Remediation due | Ransomware use |
|---|---|---|---|
| CISA KEV | Jul 29, 2022 | Aug 19, 2022 | Not reported |
| Industry KEV feed | Jul 29, 2022 | Aug 19, 2022 | Known |
| CIRCL KEV | Jul 29, 2022 | Aug 19, 2022 | Not reported |
| ENISA EUVD | Jul 29, 2022 | n/a | Not reported |
Required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Affected Products
4 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Questions For ConfluenceAtlassian | 2.7.34, 2.7.35, 3.0.2, >= 2.7.34 | n/a |
Timeline
Added to CISA KEV
Jul 29, 2022
Added to Industry KEV feed
Jul 29, 2022
Added to CIRCL KEV
Jul 29, 2022
Added to ENISA EUVD
Jul 29, 2022
Publicly disclosed
Aug 1, 2022
Last updated
Jan 12, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-798 Use of Hard-coded Credentials
References
- advisoryhttps://citizenlab.ca/2021/07/hooking-candiru-another-mercenary-spyware-vendor-comes-into-focus/
- advisoryhttps://confluence.atlassian.com/doc/confluence-security-advisory-2022-07-20-1142446709.html
- advisoryhttps://confluence.atlassian.com/security/multiple-products-security-advisory-cve-2022-26136-cve-2022-26137-1141493031.html
- advisoryhttps://decoded.avast.io/janvojtesek/the-return-of-candiru-zero-days-in-the-middle-east/
- advisoryhttps://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213340
FAQ
Common Questions.
The Atlassian Questions For Confluence app for Confluence Server and Data Center creates a Confluence user account in the confluence-users group with the username disabledsystemuser and a hardcoded password.
Affected: Questions For Confluence (Atlassian) versions 2.7.34, 2.7.35, 3.0.2, >= 2.7.34. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Jul 29, 2022 and is known to be used in ransomware campaigns.
Yes. It was added on Jul 29, 2022 with a federal remediation due date of Aug 19, 2022.
Public exploit code is available.
No fixed version is listed yet; check the vendor advisory for mitigations.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
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