CVE-2019-8445 in JIRA
Summary
by MITRE
Several worklog rest resources in Jira before version 7.13.7, and from version 8.0.0 before version 8.3.2 allow remote attackers to view worklog time information via a missing permissions check.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/01/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-8445 represents a critical authorization flaw within Atlassian Jira's REST API implementation that affects multiple versions of the platform. This issue stems from insufficient access control mechanisms within the worklog REST resources, specifically targeting the time tracking functionality that is fundamental to project management and resource allocation in enterprise environments. The flaw exists across Jira versions prior to 7.13.7 and in versions 8.0.0 through 8.3.1, indicating a prolonged period during which organizations using these platforms were exposed to potential unauthorized access. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-284, which specifically addresses improper access control, making it a direct violation of fundamental security principles that protect sensitive operational data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of REST API endpoints that handle worklog time information, allowing remote attackers to bypass normal permission checks and access time tracking data that should be restricted to authorized users only. This missing permissions check enables attackers to retrieve detailed worklog entries including time spent on tasks, which can contain sensitive information about employee productivity, project timelines, and resource allocation decisions. The flaw essentially allows unauthorized users to view the worklog time information of issues they should not have access to, potentially exposing confidential project data and employee activities that organizations rely on for strategic planning and resource management.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as worklog time information often contains sensitive details about project progress, resource utilization, and employee performance metrics that could be leveraged for competitive intelligence gathering or insider threat exploitation. Organizations using affected Jira versions face significant risks including potential compliance violations, data breaches, and loss of competitive advantage when sensitive project information becomes accessible to unauthorized parties. The vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely heavily on time tracking for billing purposes, resource planning, or performance monitoring, as attackers could gain insights into project costs, employee productivity patterns, and strategic business decisions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-8445 require immediate patching of affected Jira installations to versions 7.13.7 or 8.3.2 and later, which address the missing permissions check in the worklog REST resources. Organizations should also implement additional monitoring of REST API access patterns to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts, and conduct thorough access control reviews to ensure proper user permissions are enforced. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and credential access, as unauthorized users could potentially leverage this flaw to access sensitive information through legitimate API interfaces. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation and API rate limiting measures to reduce the attack surface and prevent automated exploitation attempts that could occur at scale across multiple affected systems.