CVE-2021-43946 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting Atlassian Jira Server and Data Center. This vulnerability allows authenticated remote attackers to add administrator groups to filter subscriptions via a broken access control vulnerability in the /secure/EditSubscription.jspa endpoint. The affected versions are before version 8.13.21, and from version 8.14.0 before 8.20.9. With a CVSS score of 6.5, the risk to organizations includes potential unauthorized modifications to subscription management, which can lead to further security issues.
The vulnerability was published on January 5, 2022, and has since been modified, indicating that the situation is evolving. Organizations using the affected versions of Jira are at risk, particularly because the vulnerability could be exploited without requiring high levels of privilege or user interaction. As such, organizations should prioritize patching to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability.
The attack vector for this vulnerability is network-based, and the complexity of the attack is classified as low, making it relatively easy for attackers to exploit this weakness if they have access to the network. Additionally, the integrity impact is noted as high, meaning that successful exploitation could lead to significant unauthorized changes within the application environment.
Organizations should take immediate action to assess their instances of Jira Server and Data Center, ensuring they are updated to a secure version. This is critical not only for compliance but for maintaining the overall security posture against potential exploitation.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability allows authenticated attackers to exploit a broken access control issue within the /secure/EditSubscription.jspa endpoint of Jira. The CVSS score of 6.5 indicates a medium severity, highlighting its potential impact on integrity. The affected systems include both the Jira Data Center and Jira Server prior to version 8.13.21 and from version 8.14.0 to 8.20.9.
Technical Analysis
This vulnerability stems from insufficient access controls on the endpoint, allowing unauthorized modification of administrator group subscriptions. The attack vector is network-based, and the attack complexity is low, requiring only basic authentication. No user interaction is necessary for exploitation, which increases the vulnerability's risk profile.
The integrity impact is high, meaning that successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized changes to critical application settings. Confidentiality and availability impacts are negligible in this context.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The risk to organizations includes the potential for unauthorized access to administrative functionalities, which could compromise the security of sensitive data and application configurations. The vulnerability's moderate CVSS score indicates a significant but manageable risk, provided that organizations act swiftly to implement the necessary patches.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The vulnerability affects the following versions of Atlassian products: Jira Server and Jira Data Center versions before 8.13.21, and versions from 8.14.0 to 8.20.9. Organizations should ensure they are using a patched version to mitigate this risk.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize updating to the latest, secure version of Atlassian Jira Server or Data Center. For those unable to immediately patch, implementing access controls and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts can help mitigate risks until updates can be applied. Organizations may also consider engaging in penetration testing to assess their security posture against potential exploitation of this vulnerability.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for unusual activity related to the /secure/EditSubscription.jspa endpoint. Indicators of compromise may include unauthorized attempts to modify group subscriptions or access control settings. Behavioral anomalies should be investigated promptly to ensure the integrity of system configurations.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2021-43946 highlights the need for ongoing vigilance in access control management. Security teams should recognize this vulnerability as part of broader trends in application security, emphasizing the importance of implementing robust access control measures across all applications. Organizations can learn to proactively assess and improve their security frameworks to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.
To stay ahead of potential threats, it is essential to continuously evaluate security practices and integrate regular security assessments into the development lifecycle. Engaging in services such as application security assessments can provide critical insights into vulnerabilities that may arise from poor configuration and access control flaws.
Furthermore, organizations should consider adopting a comprehensive security framework that includes practices from continuous penetration testing to ensure that all potential vulnerabilities, including those like CVE-2021-43946, are identified and mitigated in a timely manner.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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