CVE-2022-36799 in JIRA Server
Summary
by MITRE • 08/01/2022
This issue exists to document that a security improvement in the way that Jira Server and Data Center use templates has been implemented. Affected versions of Atlassian Jira Server and Data Center allowed remote attackers with system administrator permissions to execute arbitrary code via Template Injection leading to Remote Code Execution (RCE) in the Email Templates feature. In this case the security improvement was to protect against using the XStream library to be able to execute arbitrary code in velocity templates. The affected versions are before version 8.13.19, from version 8.14.0 before 8.20.7, and from version 8.21.0 before 8.22.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/03/2024
The vulnerability CVE-2022-36799 represents a critical security flaw in Atlassian Jira Server and Data Center platforms that was addressed through enhanced template handling mechanisms. This issue specifically targeted the Email Templates feature where the system's use of the XStream library created a dangerous attack vector for remote code execution. The vulnerability emerged from the improper handling of template injection attacks that allowed malicious actors with system administrator privileges to exploit the platform's template processing capabilities. The flaw was particularly concerning because it enabled arbitrary code execution through velocity templates, which are commonly used for generating dynamic content in web applications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the XStream library's deserialization capabilities within the Jira platform's template processing system. When the system processed email templates, it failed to properly validate or sanitize input parameters that could be manipulated to inject malicious code. This template injection occurred within the velocity template engine context where user-supplied data could be interpreted as executable code rather than simple text content. The vulnerability was classified under CWE-94, which specifically addresses "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python" and T1059.001 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" in the context of remote code execution. The flaw was particularly dangerous because it required only system administrator privileges to exploit, which are often held by legitimate users with elevated access rights.
The operational impact of this vulnerability was significant for organizations relying on Jira Server and Data Center platforms, as it provided attackers with a pathway to execute arbitrary commands on affected systems. The exploitation required an attacker to already possess system administrator credentials, which reduced the attack surface but did not eliminate the risk entirely since such credentials are often targeted in privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability affected multiple version ranges including releases before 8.13.19, versions 8.14.0 through 8.20.6, and 8.21.0 through 8.22.0, indicating a prolonged period during which organizations were exposed to this risk. Organizations utilizing these platforms faced potential data breaches, system compromise, and unauthorized access to sensitive project information and user data. The attack could result in complete system takeover, allowing adversaries to install backdoors, exfiltrate data, or establish persistent access to the organization's Jira infrastructure.
The security improvement implemented to address this vulnerability focused on strengthening the template processing mechanisms to prevent the use of the XStream library for executing arbitrary code within velocity templates. This fix involved modifying the template engine's input validation and sanitization processes to ensure that user-supplied data could not be interpreted as executable code. The mitigation strategy aligns with the principle of least privilege and input validation best practices recommended in industry security standards. Organizations were advised to upgrade to versions 8.13.19, 8.20.7, or 8.22.1 to remediate the vulnerability, which effectively closed the template injection pathway that previously enabled remote code execution. The fix demonstrated the importance of proper deserialization controls and template security in enterprise software platforms, particularly those handling user-generated content and email notifications. Security teams were encouraged to implement additional monitoring for suspicious template usage patterns and to verify that all system administrator accounts maintained proper authentication controls including multi-factor authentication to minimize the risk of credential compromise that could lead to exploitation of this vulnerability.