CVE-2014-2313 in JIRA
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the Importers plugin in Atlassian JIRA before 6.0.5 allows remote attackers to create arbitrary files via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/07/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2313 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Importers plugin of Atlassian JIRA versions prior to 6.0.5. This weakness enables remote attackers to manipulate file creation processes through unspecified attack vectors, potentially allowing unauthorized file system access and modification. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the plugin's file handling routines, creating opportunities for malicious actors to exploit the system's file system operations.
This directory traversal vulnerability operates at the core of file system manipulation within JIRA's import functionality, where user-supplied data is not properly validated before being processed for file creation operations. The flaw allows attackers to craft malicious input that can bypass normal file system access controls, potentially enabling them to create files in arbitrary locations on the server. The unspecified vectors suggest multiple potential attack pathways that could leverage different aspects of the plugin's functionality to achieve the directory traversal effect. Such vulnerabilities typically fall under CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which is a fundamental weakness in access control mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file creation, as it could potentially enable attackers to establish persistent access points, deploy malicious code, or compromise the integrity of the entire JIRA instance. Remote attackers could leverage this weakness to upload malicious files, modify existing system files, or create backdoors that persist across system restarts. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on JIRA's import functionality, particularly those with less restrictive network access policies or inadequate monitoring of file system operations. This flaw could lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or service disruption depending on how the vulnerability is exploited within a specific environment.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately upgrade to JIRA version 6.0.5 or later, which includes patches addressing the directory traversal issue in the Importers plugin. System administrators should also implement network segmentation to limit access to JIRA instances and monitor file system operations for suspicious activity. Additional mitigations include restricting user privileges for import operations, implementing input validation at multiple layers, and conducting regular security assessments of plugin components. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell, as attackers may use the compromised system to execute malicious scripts or commands through the created files. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious file creation patterns, while maintaining detailed audit logs of all import operations to facilitate incident response activities.