CVE-2019-20098 in JIRA Server
Summary
by MITRE
The VerifySmtpServerConnection!add.jspa component in Atlassian Jira Server and Data Center before version 8.7.0 is vulnerable to cross-site request forgery (CSRF). An attacker could exploit this by tricking an administrative user into making malicious HTTP requests, allowing the attacker to enumerate hosts and open ports on the internal network where Jira server is present.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/11/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-20098 affects Atlassian Jira Server and Data Center versions prior to 8.7.0, specifically within the VerifySmtpServerConnection!add.jspa component. This represents a critical cross-site request forgery vulnerability that undermines the security posture of organizations relying on Jira for their project management and issue tracking needs. The flaw exists in the server-side component responsible for verifying SMTP server connections, which is typically used during configuration processes for email notifications and system communications. The vulnerability arises from insufficient CSRF protection mechanisms in place when processing requests related to SMTP server verification, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit administrative privileges through deceptive web requests.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the absence of proper anti-CSRF tokens or validation mechanisms in the VerifySmtpServerConnection!add.jspa endpoint. When administrative users interact with this component, the application fails to validate that requests originate from legitimate sources within the authenticated session. This allows attackers to craft malicious web pages or emails that, when visited or clicked by an authenticated administrator, automatically submit requests to the Jira server. The vulnerability specifically enables network enumeration capabilities where attackers can probe internal network hosts and test port accessibility from within the Jira server environment, effectively bypassing network segmentation controls that should protect internal systems from external threats.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for organizations as it allows attackers to perform reconnaissance activities against internal network infrastructure without requiring direct network access or credentials. The ability to enumerate hosts and open ports provides attackers with valuable information about the internal network topology, potentially revealing sensitive systems, services, or network configurations that should remain hidden from external parties. This reconnaissance capability significantly increases the attack surface and can lead to further exploitation opportunities, as attackers can identify vulnerable internal systems or services that may be accessible from the Jira server environment. The vulnerability particularly affects organizations where Jira servers are deployed in environments with restricted network access or where internal systems are not properly isolated from external threats.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK framework techniques including T1046 Network Service Scanning and T1071 Application Layer Protocol. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the patched version 8.7.0 or later, which includes proper CSRF token validation mechanisms. Additional protective measures involve configuring web application firewalls to monitor for suspicious request patterns, implementing strict access controls for administrative functions, and conducting regular security assessments of web applications to identify similar vulnerabilities. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of following CWE guidelines related to CSRF protection, specifically CWE-352, which emphasizes the need for proper validation of request sources and implementation of anti-CSRF tokens in web applications. Organizations should consider implementing comprehensive security awareness training for administrators to recognize and avoid potentially malicious web content that could exploit such vulnerabilities.