CVE-2017-5983 in JIRA Server
Summary
by MITRE
The JIRA Workflow Designer Plugin in Atlassian JIRA Server before 6.3.0 improperly uses an XML parser and deserializer, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code, read arbitrary files, or cause a denial of service via a crafted serialized Java object.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5983 represents a critical security flaw within the JIRA Workflow Designer Plugin for Atlassian JIRA Server versions prior to 6.3.0. This issue stems from the plugin's insecure handling of XML parsing and deserialization operations, creating a dangerous attack surface that can be exploited by remote threat actors. The vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's inability to properly validate and sanitize serialized Java objects during XML processing, allowing maliciously crafted payloads to bypass security controls and execute unintended operations within the target system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of XML data that contains serialized Java objects. When the vulnerable JIRA Workflow Designer Plugin processes such malformed XML input, it inadvertently deserializes the malicious objects without proper validation mechanisms. This deserialization process occurs within the context of the JIRA server application, enabling attackers to leverage the Java deserialization vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on the target system. The flaw aligns with CWE-502, which categorizes deserialization of untrusted data as a dangerous practice that can lead to remote code execution, and it maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter usage.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with multiple attack vectors including arbitrary file reading and denial of service conditions. An attacker can leverage the vulnerability to read sensitive files from the server filesystem, potentially accessing configuration files, database credentials, or other confidential information. The denial of service component can be used to disrupt business operations by causing the JIRA server to crash or become unresponsive. This multi-faceted attack capability makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where JIRA serves as a critical workflow management platform.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through the upgrade to JIRA Server version 6.3.0 or later, which includes proper input validation and secure deserialization practices. Additionally, network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the JIRA server where possible, limiting the attack surface. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual XML processing patterns or unauthorized file access attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in web applications and highlights how insecure deserialization practices can lead to severe consequences in enterprise software environments. Organizations should also consider implementing application-level protections such as custom deserialization guards and input sanitization routines to mitigate similar risks in other components of their software infrastructure.