CVE-2018-20824 in JIRA
Summary
by MITRE
The WallboardServlet resource in Jira before version 7.13.1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary HTML or JavaScript via a cross site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the cyclePeriod parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-20824 represents a critical cross site scripting flaw within the WallboardServlet component of Atlassian Jira software. This vulnerability affects versions prior to 7.13.1 and exposes the application to remote code execution through malicious HTML or JavaScript injection attacks. The specific weakness occurs within the cyclePeriod parameter of the WallboardServlet resource, which fails to properly validate or sanitize user input before processing. This oversight creates a direct pathway for attackers to inject malicious payloads that can be executed in the context of authenticated users' browsers, potentially leading to complete session hijacking or data exfiltration.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross site scripting weaknesses in software applications. This classification indicates that the flaw exists in the application's input handling mechanisms where user-supplied data is not adequately filtered or escaped before being rendered in web responses. The WallboardServlet component serves as a dashboard interface for displaying project information and metrics, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise the Jira environment. The cyclePeriod parameter likely controls the refresh interval or display cycle of dashboard elements, making it a legitimate input field that attackers can manipulate to inject malicious scripts.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations relying on Jira for project management and issue tracking. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to access sensitive project data, manipulate dashboard displays, or redirect users to malicious websites. The vulnerability's remote nature means attackers do not require local system access or credentials to exploit it, making it particularly dangerous in environments where Jira is publicly accessible or used in conjunction with other web applications. The attack vector through the cyclePeriod parameter suggests that even simple GET requests could be leveraged to deliver malicious payloads, potentially affecting all users who view the affected dashboard components.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to Jira version 7.13.1 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this vulnerability. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious requests targeting the WallboardServlet endpoint. Input validation measures should be strengthened at the application level to ensure all user-supplied parameters undergo proper sanitization before processing. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual requests containing script tags or other XSS payload indicators in the cyclePeriod parameter. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and patch management processes, as this flaw could have been prevented through timely application of security updates. Organizations should also review their Jira configurations to minimize the exposure of sensitive dashboard features to untrusted users and implement proper access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.