External risk intelligence

Jira Server and Data Center Remote Code Execution Vulnerability.

CVE advisoryKnown Exploit

CVE-2019-11581

Jira Server and Data Center are commonly deployed as web applications to facilitate issue tracking and project management across organizations. These platforms are frequently exposed to the internet or wide internal networks to allow access for distributed teams, making them a common web-based service with an externally reachable attack surface.

Atlassian Jira Server

4.4 to before 7.6.147.7.0 to before 7.13.58.0.0 to before 8.0.38.1.0 to before 8.1.28.2.0 to before 8.2.3

Halo Surface Signal: 4 out of 5 — likely to be public-facing.

External exposure likelihood

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

A vulnerability exists in Atlassian's Jira Server and Data Center products. This flaw allows for remote code execution, potentially enabling attackers to compromise affected systems. The impact on organizations could include the loss of data confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Vulnerable Jira Server and Data Center actions.
Server-side template injection.
Remote code execution and system compromise.

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

This vulnerability allows an attacker to remotely execute code on affected Jira systems. The attack exploits a server-side template injection flaw present in specific actions within the Jira application. This could enable unauthorized access and manipulation of the compromised systems.

External network exposure required.
Unauthenticated attacker gains access.
Triggering specific actions results in code execution.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

This vulnerability allows for remote code execution, meaning an attacker could potentially control a system if it is running a vulnerable version of Jira Server or Data Center. This could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, disruption of services, or further compromise of the organization's network. Given the potential for significant damage, this issue presents a high level of business risk.

Attackers with moderate skill.
No access or conditions needed.
High business risk; treat as urgent.

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

This vulnerability in Jira Server and Data Center allows attackers to remotely execute code. The issue stems from a server-side template injection flaw in specific actions within the software. Organizations using vulnerable versions face a significant risk of unauthorized code execution on their systems.

Find Jira Server and Data Center assets.
Reduce exposure or isolate affected systems.
Apply vendor fix, verify, and monitor.

Supplementary metadata

CVSS vector

Validate whether this threat affects your internet-facing exposure.

Halo Threat Intelligence helps prioritize remediation with Halo Surface Signal and H/A/L/O context. Start exposure validation with a free external attack surface trial.

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Frequently asked questions

What is Jira Server and Data Center?

Jira Server and Data Center are Atlassian products for issue tracking and project management, helping teams organize and manage their work. This advisory specifically addresses vulnerabilities within these products.

What type of vulnerability does CVE-2019-11581 represent?

CVE-2019-11581 is a server-side template injection vulnerability. This occurs when an application improperly handles user input used in templates, allowing attackers to inject and execute malicious code on the server, leading to remote code execution.

How can CVE-2019-11581 be exploited in Jira?

The vulnerability is triggered through specific actions, ContactAdministrators and SendBulkMail, within Jira Server and Data Center. An unauthenticated attacker can exploit this server-side template injection flaw to execute arbitrary code remotely on affected systems.

What is the significance of the Halo Surface Signal for this CVE?

The Halo Surface Signal indicates a 'Likely' exploitation risk because Jira Server and Data Center are often web applications exposed to the internet or wide internal networks. This external reachability presents a common attack surface for web-based services, increasing the potential for exploitation.

What actions should be taken to address this vulnerability?

Organizations should identify all Jira Server and Data Center assets, reduce their exposure by isolating affected systems if possible, and promptly apply vendor-provided fixes. Verification of applied patches and ongoing monitoring are crucial steps to mitigate the risk.

References

Written by Nicholas Merritt

Nicholas Merritt is VP of Security Solutions at Halo Security. With more than 25 years across application security, vulnerability prioritization, and offensive security, he helps teams translate threat data into practical exposure validation and remediation focus. He authors Halo Threat Intelligence CVE advisories using Halo Surface Signal and H/A/L/O context to prioritize internet-facing risk.