CVE-2019-8451 in JIRA
Summary
by MITRE
The /plugins/servlet/gadgets/makeRequest resource in Jira before version 8.4.0 allows remote attackers to access the content of internal network resources via a Server Side Request Forgery (SSRF) vulnerability due to a logic bug in the JiraWhitelist class.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/21/2020
The CVE-2019-8451 vulnerability represents a critical server side request forgery flaw in Atlassian Jira platforms prior to version 8.4.0. This vulnerability specifically affects the /plugins/servlet/gadgets/makeRequest resource which serves as an endpoint for handling external requests within the Jira ecosystem. The flaw stems from a logic bug present in the JiraWhitelist class implementation, which fails to properly validate and restrict access to internal network resources. This allows remote attackers to manipulate the system into making unauthorized requests to internal services that would normally be restricted from external access. The vulnerability operates under the broader category of CWE-918 Server Side Request Forgery, which is classified as a critical security weakness in web applications that can lead to unauthorized access to internal systems.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious request to the vulnerable makeRequest endpoint, leveraging the flawed whitelist validation logic to bypass normal network restrictions. The JiraWhitelist class is designed to maintain a list of approved domains or IP addresses that external requests can access, but due to the logic bug, it fails to properly enforce these restrictions. This allows attackers to specify internal network addresses such as localhost, 127.0.0.1, or other internal IP ranges that should be inaccessible from external network requests. The vulnerability essentially transforms the Jira instance into a potential proxy for internal network reconnaissance and exploitation activities, enabling attackers to probe internal services, potentially gain access to sensitive data, or even escalate their privileges within the internal network infrastructure.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-8451 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates a significant attack surface that can be leveraged for various malicious activities. Attackers can use this vulnerability to perform internal network scanning, identify running services on internal hosts, and potentially exploit other vulnerabilities in internal systems that are not directly exposed to the internet. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 Application Layer Protocol: DNS, where attackers might use the compromised Jira instance to make DNS requests to internal infrastructure, or T1046 Network Service Scanning, where internal ports and services can be probed. Organizations running vulnerable Jira instances face the risk of unauthorized access to internal databases, application servers, or other sensitive internal resources that should remain protected behind firewalls and network segmentation controls.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to Jira version 8.4.0 or later to remediate this vulnerability, as the fix addresses the logic error in the JiraWhitelist class implementation. Additional mitigations include implementing network segmentation to restrict access to internal resources, configuring proper firewall rules to prevent external access to internal services, and monitoring for unusual network requests originating from Jira instances. Security teams should also conduct thorough network audits to identify any unauthorized access that may have occurred through this vulnerability. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and access control mechanisms in web applications, particularly when dealing with external request handling functionality that interfaces with internal network resources. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring solutions that can detect and prevent similar SSRF patterns in other applications within their infrastructure.