CVE-2026-86499 in YouTrack
Summary
by MITRE • 09/07/2026
In JetBrains YouTrack before 2026.1.14047 predefined search fields leaked all group names to any user, regardless of visibility permission
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/07/2026
The vulnerability identified in JetBrains YouTrack prior to version 2026.1.14047 represents a critical access control failure within the application's search functionality. Specifically, the system exposed predefined search fields that contained sensitive organizational data, namely all group names defined within the instance. This exposure occurred regardless of the user's assigned permissions or visibility settings, effectively bypassing standard role-based access controls designed to restrict information flow based on security clearance levels.
From a technical perspective, this flaw stems from an improper implementation of authorization checks during the retrieval and rendering of search configuration data. When users interact with the search interface, the backend API likely returned comprehensive metadata about available search filters without validating whether the requesting user had explicit permission to view the entities referenced by those filters. This lack of granular access verification allowed any authenticated user, including low-privilege accounts or external collaborators, to enumerate internal group structures simply by inspecting the dropdown options or autocomplete suggestions provided in the search bar.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations relying on YouTrack for project management and issue tracking. The leakage of group names facilitates reconnaissance activities where an attacker can map out the organizational hierarchy and identify potential targets within the company structure. By knowing which groups exist, a malicious actor or insider threat can tailor subsequent attacks to exploit weaknesses in specific teams or projects associated with those groups. This information disclosure undermines the principle of least privilege and compromises the confidentiality of internal operational structures.
This vulnerability aligns closely with CWE-284, Improper Access Control, as it involves failing to enforce proper restrictions on authorized users accessing resources outside their intended permissions. Furthermore, in the context of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this behavior corresponds to T1087, Account Discovery, where adversaries gather information about accounts and groups within a system or network environment to aid in further exploitation. The ability to enumerate group names without authorization provides attackers with valuable intelligence for planning targeted phishing campaigns or privilege escalation attempts against specific high-value targets identified through the leaked data.
To mitigate this risk, organizations must immediately upgrade their YouTrack instances to version 2026.1.14047 or later, where JetBrains has addressed the access control logic in the search field retrieval process. Until an update is applied, administrators should review user permissions and consider restricting external access if possible. Additionally, implementing strict input validation and ensuring that all API endpoints performing data retrieval enforce consistent authorization checks against the requesting user's role and group memberships will prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited or introduced in future updates. Regular security audits of authentication and authorization mechanisms are recommended to maintain robust defense-in-depth strategies.