CVE-2019-3402 in JIRA
Summary
by MITRE
The ConfigurePortalPages.jspa resource in Jira before version 7.13.3 and from version 8.0.0 before version 8.1.1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary HTML or JavaScript via a cross site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the searchOwnerUserName parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/23/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-3402 represents a critical cross site scripting flaw in Atlassian Jira's web interface, specifically affecting the ConfigurePortalPages.jspa resource. This vulnerability exists in Jira versions prior to 7.13.3 and in versions 8.0.0 through 8.1.0, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on this issue tracking platform. The flaw allows remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of a victim's browser session, potentially compromising user data and system integrity. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize input data, making it a classic XSS vulnerability that can be exploited through web-based interfaces.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the searchOwnerUserName parameter within the ConfigurePortalPages.jspa endpoint. When user-supplied input is not properly validated or sanitized before being rendered in the web interface, attackers can inject malicious HTML or JavaScript code that executes in the context of other users' browsers. This particular parameter serves as an entry point for attackers to manipulate the application's behavior and potentially escalate privileges or access sensitive information. The vulnerability operates by bypassing the application's input validation mechanisms, allowing malicious payloads to be stored and subsequently executed when legitimate users view the affected pages.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-3402 extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, data theft, and privilege escalation within the Jira environment. An attacker could potentially steal user authentication tokens, access confidential project information, modify issue data, or even gain administrative access to the Jira instance. The vulnerability's remote exploitation nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or prior authentication to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Jira is used extensively for collaboration and project management. Organizations using affected Jira versions face potential data breaches and compliance violations that could result in significant financial and reputational damage.
Security mitigations for CVE-2019-3402 primarily involve applying the vendor-provided patches and updates released by Atlassian to address the XSS vulnerability in the ConfigurePortalPages.jspa resource. Organizations should immediately upgrade to Jira versions 7.13.3 or 8.1.1 and later, which contain the necessary fixes to prevent malicious input from being executed within the application's web interface. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in the future. Organizations should also consider deploying web application firewalls and monitoring systems to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 which involves data from information repositories, and represents a common vector for attackers seeking to establish persistent access to enterprise systems through web-based exploitation methods.