CVE-2021-43948 in Jira Service Management Server
Summary
by MITRE • 02/15/2022
Affected versions of Atlassian Jira Service Management Server and Data Center allow authenticated remote attackers to view the names of private objects via an Improper Authorization vulnerability in the "Move objects" feature. The affected versions are before version 4.21.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/18/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-43948 represents a critical authorization flaw within Atlassian Jira Service Management Server and Data Center platforms. This issue affects versions prior to 4.21.0 and stems from improper access control mechanisms that fail to adequately validate user permissions when processing object movement operations. The flaw specifically manifests within the "Move objects" functionality, where authenticated attackers can exploit the insufficient authorization checks to discover the names of private objects that should normally remain restricted to authorized users only.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of insufficient authorization validation as categorized under CWE-285, where the system fails to properly verify that users have appropriate permissions before granting access to sensitive resources. Attackers leveraging this weakness can navigate through the application's object management interface and retrieve information about private objects, potentially exposing sensitive project data, service requests, or other confidential assets that are typically protected by access control policies. This unauthorized information disclosure occurs despite the user being authenticated, highlighting the flaw in the privilege validation mechanism rather than a complete authentication bypass.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with valuable reconnaissance data that can be used to plan more sophisticated attacks. By discovering the names of private objects, malicious actors gain insights into the organization's service management structure, potentially identifying critical systems, sensitive projects, or high-value service requests. This intelligence can facilitate targeted attacks on specific services or help attackers understand the overall architecture of the Jira Service Management environment, making it easier to identify potential entry points for further exploitation. The vulnerability affects organizations using affected versions of the platform, creating a persistent risk that can be exploited by any authenticated user with access to the application.
Organizations should immediately implement the remediation measures provided by Atlassian, including upgrading to version 4.21.0 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the improper authorization vulnerability. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive audits of their Jira Service Management environments to identify any potential exploitation attempts and ensure that access controls are properly configured. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which involves legitimate credentials use to access restricted information, and represents a significant concern for organizations following security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53, where access control and information assurance controls are critical for maintaining system integrity and protecting sensitive data assets.