CVE-2010-1165 in JIRA
Summary
by MITRE
Atlassian JIRA 3.12 through 4.1 allows remote authenticated administrators to execute arbitrary code by modifying the (1) attachment (aka attachments), (2) index (aka indexing), or (3) backup path and then uploading a file, as exploited in the wild in April 2010.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-1165 represents a critical remote code execution flaw in Atlassian JIRA versions 3.12 through 4.1 that specifically targets authenticated administrator accounts. This vulnerability operates through a path traversal or file upload manipulation technique that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on the affected system. The flaw specifically impacts the attachment, indexing, and backup path functionalities within the JIRA application, creating multiple attack vectors for exploitation. The vulnerability was actively exploited in the wild during April 2010, demonstrating its real-world threat potential and the urgency of immediate remediation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and improper path handling within JIRA's file management subsystem. When authenticated administrators modify the attachment, index, or backup path parameters, the application fails to properly sanitize or validate the user-supplied paths, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate file upload destinations. This flaw aligns with CWE-22, which describes path traversal vulnerabilities, and CWE-74, which covers injection flaws. The vulnerability exploits the trust relationship between the administrator and the application, leveraging legitimate administrative privileges to execute malicious code through what should be controlled file operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-1165 is severe and multifaceted, potentially allowing full system compromise for organizations running affected JIRA versions. An attacker with administrative credentials could gain complete control over the JIRA server, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system infiltration, and lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability affects not just the JIRA application itself but can potentially serve as a foothold for broader attacks, particularly in environments where JIRA serves as a central collaboration platform. The exploitation chain typically involves uploading a malicious file through the vulnerable path manipulation, followed by execution of that file, which can result in persistent backdoor access or further system compromise.
Organizations should immediately implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability, beginning with urgent patching of affected JIRA versions to 4.2 or later, which contain the necessary security fixes. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit administrative privileges, reducing the attack surface for exploitation. Additionally, implementing file upload restrictions and content validation mechanisms can provide additional protection against similar vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1059 for command and scripting interpreter, and T1078 for valid accounts, as it leverages legitimate administrative access to execute malicious code. Regular security monitoring and log analysis should be enhanced to detect anomalous file upload patterns or path manipulation activities that could indicate exploitation attempts.