CVE-2017-18100 in JIRA
Summary
by MITRE
The agile wallboard gadget in Atlassian Jira before version 7.8.1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary HTML or JavaScript via a cross site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the name of quick filters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/23/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-18100 represents a critical cross site scripting flaw within Atlassian Jira's agile wallboard gadget functionality. This issue affects versions prior to 7.8.1 and specifically targets the quick filters component where users can define custom filter names. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious HTML or JavaScript code through the filter name parameter, creating a persistent vector for malicious activity within the Jira environment. The vulnerability exists because the application fails to properly sanitize user input when rendering filter names in the agile wallboard interface, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of other users' sessions.
This XSS vulnerability operates under CWE-79 which classifies it as a classic cross site scripting attack where untrusted data is incorporated into web page content without proper validation or encoding. The attack vector specifically targets the quick filters functionality within Jira's agile board, which is commonly used by development teams to organize and track project progress. When users view the agile wallboard with maliciously crafted filter names, the injected scripts execute in their browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further exploitation of the compromised user accounts. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the core administrative and collaborative features of Jira that are frequently accessed by team members with varying privilege levels.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable attackers to establish persistent access to Jira environments and potentially escalate privileges within the organization's project management infrastructure. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or modify project data through the execution of malicious JavaScript code. The agile wallboard gadget serves as a central dashboard component that many users interact with regularly, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can affect multiple users simultaneously. The issue also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which covers scripting languages including JavaScript, demonstrating how attackers can use such vulnerabilities to execute malicious code in user browsers.
Organizations using affected versions of Jira should prioritize immediate remediation through the official Atlassian update to version 7.8.1 or later. The mitigation strategy should include implementing proper input validation and output encoding for all user-supplied content within web applications. Security teams should also consider deploying web application firewalls to detect and block potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their Jira configurations to identify any other potential XSS vulnerabilities in custom gadgets or plugins. Regular security training for developers and administrators on secure coding practices, particularly around input validation and output encoding, remains essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future. The fix implemented by Atlassian addresses the root cause by ensuring proper sanitization of user input in the filter name parameter, preventing malicious scripts from being executed in the context of legitimate users.