CVE-2021-41312 in JIRA Server
Summary
by MITRE • 11/03/2021
Affected versions of Atlassian Jira Server and Data Center allow a remote attacker who has had their access revoked from Jira Service Management to enable and disable Issue Collectors on Jira Service Management projects via an Improper Authentication vulnerability in the /secure/ViewCollectors endpoint. The affected versions are before version 8.19.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/10/2024
This vulnerability exists in Atlassian Jira Server and Data Center versions prior to 8.19.1, specifically affecting the /secure/ViewCollectors endpoint where unauthorized access persists even after user revocation. The flaw represents an improper authentication vulnerability that allows remote attackers to manipulate Issue Collector settings on Jira Service Management projects. The technical implementation fails to properly validate user permissions after access has been revoked, creating a persistent security weakness that undermines the principle of least privilege and proper access control mechanisms. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-285 which addresses improper authorization in authentication systems, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for valid accounts used for lateral movement and privilege escalation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables attackers to maintain access to sensitive project configurations even after their legitimate access has been terminated. Attackers can exploit this weakness to enable or disable Issue Collectors, potentially disrupting service management workflows, accessing sensitive data through collection mechanisms, or creating backdoors for future access. The vulnerability essentially creates a persistent access vector that bypasses normal authentication controls, allowing attackers to manipulate project configurations without proper authorization. This poses particular risk in environments where Jira Service Management is used for critical business processes and sensitive data handling.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching to version 8.19.1 or later, which addresses the authentication bypass issue through proper session validation and access control enforcement. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to Jira servers, enforce multi-factor authentication for administrative access, and conduct regular access reviews to ensure proper user provisioning and deprovisioning. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual activity patterns related to Issue Collector configuration changes, particularly when access has been revoked. The remediation process should include verifying that all users who have had their access revoked cannot access the affected endpoint, and that proper audit trails are maintained for all configuration changes. Additionally, organizations should review their overall access control policies and ensure that proper privilege management procedures are in place to prevent similar issues in other systems.