CVE-2019-14997 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

Before version 8.4.0 of Jira, a vulnerability in the AccessLogFilter class allows remote anonymous attackers to exploit an information exposure through caching vulnerability, potentially revealing details about other users.

Understanding CVE-2019-14997

What is CVE-2019-14997?

The vulnerability in Jira before version 8.4.0 enables remote anonymous attackers to access details of other users, including their usernames, through a caching-related exploit.

The Impact of CVE-2019-14997

This vulnerability poses a risk of exposing sensitive user information to unauthorized parties, compromising user privacy and potentially leading to further security breaches.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-14997

Vulnerability Description

The AccessLogFilter class in Jira, when configured with a reverse proxy, load balancer with caching, or a CDN, allows remote attackers to gather user details, such as usernames, through an information exposure via caching vulnerability.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Jira
Vendor: Atlassian
Versions Affected: < 8.4.0 (unspecified version type)

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by remote anonymous attackers leveraging the information exposure through caching vulnerability in Jira configurations with specific setups like reverse proxies, load balancers with caching, or CDNs.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Jira to version 8.4.0 or newer to mitigate the vulnerability.
Implement access controls and restrictions to limit unauthorized access to sensitive user information.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit access logs and user activities to detect any unauthorized access attempts.
Stay informed about security updates and best practices for securing Jira installations.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches and updates provided by Atlassian to address known vulnerabilities and enhance the overall security posture of Jira installations.