CVE-2017-18101 in JIRA Server
Summary
by MITRE
Various administrative external system import resources in Atlassian JIRA Server (including JIRA Core) before version 7.6.5, from version 7.7.0 before version 7.7.3, from version 7.8.0 before version 7.8.3 and before version 7.9.0 allow remote attackers to run import operations and to determine if an internal service exists through missing permission checks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/23/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-18101 represents a critical authorization flaw in Atlassian JIRA Server affecting multiple versions including 7.6.4 and earlier, 7.7.2 and earlier, 7.8.2 and earlier, and versions prior to 7.9.0. This issue stems from insufficient permission validation mechanisms within the administrative import functionality that allows remote attackers to execute unauthorized import operations against internal services. The flaw specifically impacts the external system import resources that are typically used for data migration and integration purposes, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system's administrative capabilities without proper authentication or authorization.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the lack of proper access control validation within the import operation handlers. When JIRA processes external system import requests, the system fails to verify whether the requesting user possesses the necessary administrative privileges before executing the import operation. This missing permission check creates a scenario where remote attackers can manipulate import requests to target internal services that would normally be protected from external access. The vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access as it also enables attackers to perform service discovery operations, allowing them to determine the existence and accessibility of internal services through the import functionality.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations relying on JIRA Server for issue tracking and project management. Attackers exploiting this flaw could potentially import malicious data into the system, manipulate internal service configurations, or use the import functionality as a vector for further reconnaissance. The ability to determine internal service existence through import operations aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the reconnaissance phase, specifically targeting the discovery of internal systems and services. The vulnerability could enable attackers to map internal network topology and identify potential targets for subsequent attacks, making it particularly dangerous in environments with complex internal service architectures.
The impact of this vulnerability extends to data integrity and system availability, as unauthorized import operations could corrupt existing data or introduce malicious content into the JIRA environment. Organizations may experience unauthorized modifications to issue tracking data, potentially affecting critical business processes and decision-making workflows that depend on accurate JIRA information. The vulnerability also creates potential for privilege escalation scenarios where attackers could leverage the import functionality to gain deeper access to the system. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-285: Improper Authorization, which specifically addresses insufficient checks for authorizations to perform operations. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure, while also applying the vendor-provided patches that address the missing permission checks in the import functionality.
The remediation approach for this vulnerability requires immediate application of the security patches released by Atlassian, specifically versions 7.6.5, 7.7.3, 7.8.3, and 7.9.0 respectively. Organizations should also implement network-level controls to restrict access to JIRA administrative endpoints and consider monitoring import operations for unusual patterns or unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper authorization checking in administrative interfaces and serves as a reminder of the critical need to validate permissions for all system operations, particularly those with elevated privileges. Security teams should conduct comprehensive reviews of administrative interfaces to identify similar permission validation gaps that could create similar attack vectors.