CVE-2020-36239 in Jira Data Center
Summary
by MITRE • 07/29/2021
Jira Data Center, Jira Core Data Center, Jira Software Data Center from version 6.3.0 before 8.5.16, from 8.6.0 before 8.13.8, from 8.14.0 before 8.17.0 and Jira Service Management Data Center from version 2.0.2 before 4.5.16, from version 4.6.0 before 4.13.8, and from version 4.14.0 before 4.17.0 exposed a Ehcache RMI network service which attackers, who can connect to the service, on port 40001 and potentially 40011[0][1], could execute arbitrary code of their choice in Jira through deserialization due to a missing authentication vulnerability. While Atlassian strongly suggests restricting access to the Ehcache ports to only Data Center instances, fixed versions of Jira will now require a shared secret in order to allow access to the Ehcache service. [0] In Jira Data Center, Jira Core Data Center, and Jira Software Data Center versions prior to 7.13.1, the Ehcache object port can be randomly allocated. [1] In Jira Service Management Data Center versions prior to 3.16.1, the Ehcache object port can be randomly allocated.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/17/2024
This vulnerability exists in multiple Atlassian Jira Data Center products including Jira Core Data Center, Jira Software Data Center, and Jira Service Management Data Center across various version ranges. The flaw stems from an improperly configured Ehcache RMI network service that exposes ports 40001 and potentially 40011 to network access without adequate authentication mechanisms. This represents a critical security oversight that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code within the Jira environment through a deserialization attack vector. The vulnerability is classified as a missing authentication issue that directly enables remote code execution, making it particularly dangerous for organizations running these systems.
The technical exploitation occurs through the deserialization of untrusted data within the Ehcache service, which serves as a distributed caching mechanism in Jira Data Center deployments. Attackers who can establish network connectivity to the exposed Ehcache ports can leverage this to inject malicious serialized objects that will be executed within the Jira process context. This attack vector aligns with common CWE classifications for deserialization vulnerabilities and represents a significant bypass of normal application security controls. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows attackers to execute code with the privileges of the Jira service account, potentially leading to full system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise and data exfiltration capabilities. Organizations running affected Jira versions face significant risk as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, and move laterally within their network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects multiple product lines and version ranges, making it widespread across various Jira deployments. This represents a critical gap in the security posture of organizations relying on Data Center installations, as the default configuration exposes these services without proper access controls. The random allocation of Ehcache object ports in older versions further compounds the risk by making it harder for administrators to properly secure these endpoints.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate network segmentation and access control implementation to restrict connectivity to the affected Ehcache ports. Organizations must implement firewall rules to limit access to ports 40001 and 40011 to only trusted Data Center instances and administrative networks. The patched versions of Jira now require a shared secret for Ehcache service access, which provides an additional authentication layer that prevents unauthorized access. Security teams should also conduct thorough network audits to identify any exposed Ehcache services and ensure that proper access controls are in place. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of securing all network services, particularly those that handle object serialization, and aligns with ATT&CK techniques for privilege escalation and command execution through application vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring to detect unusual access patterns to these ports and maintain up-to-date security patches to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the future.