CVE-2019-20401 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Jira Server before 8.5.2 is vulnerable to Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) attacks, allowing remote attackers to configure unfinished Jira instances.

Understanding CVE-2019-20401

This CVE involves a security vulnerability in Jira Server that enables attackers to manipulate installations before version 8.5.2 through CSRF attacks.

What is CVE-2019-20401?

CVE-2019-20401 refers to the issue in Jira Server where various resources used during installation allow attackers to configure incomplete Jira instances by exploiting CSRF vulnerabilities.

The Impact of CVE-2019-20401

The vulnerability permits remote attackers to influence the setup of Jira instances that are in the process of being installed, potentially leading to unauthorized configurations and access.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-20401

Jira Server's vulnerability to CSRF attacks has the following technical aspects:

Vulnerability Description

Attackers can exploit CSRF vulnerabilities in Jira Server installations before version 8.5.2 to configure unfinished instances.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Jira Server
Vendor: Atlassian
Versions Affected: All versions prior to 8.5.2

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can manipulate the installation process of Jira Server instances by leveraging CSRF vulnerabilities.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2019-20401, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Jira Server to version 8.5.2 or later to mitigate the CSRF vulnerability.
Implement CSRF protection mechanisms to prevent unauthorized configuration changes.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit Jira Server configurations for any unauthorized changes.
Educate users on CSRF attacks and best practices for secure installations.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates from Atlassian and promptly apply patches to address known vulnerabilities.