CVE-2019-20899 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

CVE-2019-20899 was published on March 23, 2020, affecting Atlassian Jira Server and Data Center. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to disrupt the system's functionality through the Gadget API.

Understanding CVE-2019-20899

This CVE involves a Denial of Service vulnerability in Atlassian Jira Server and Data Center.

What is CVE-2019-20899?

The Gadget API in Atlassian Jira Server and Data Center allows remote attackers to render Jira unresponsive by sending repeated requests to a specific endpoint within the Gadget API. The impacted versions include those before 8.5.4 and versions between 8.6.0 and 8.6.1.

The Impact of CVE-2019-20899

This vulnerability can lead to a disruption in the functionality of Atlassian Jira Server and Data Center, potentially causing service unavailability and affecting productivity.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-20899

CVE-2019-20899 involves the following technical aspects:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service by repeatedly sending requests to a specific endpoint in the Gadget API.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Jira Server
Vendor: Atlassian
Affected Versions:
Versions before 8.5.4
Versions between 8.6.0 and 8.6.1

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by sending a high volume of requests to a particular endpoint in the Gadget API, leading to system unresponsiveness.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2019-20899, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Jira Server to version 8.5.4 or higher.
Implement network-level protections to mitigate potential denial of service attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit network traffic for unusual patterns.
Stay informed about security updates and patches released by Atlassian.

Patching and Updates

Apply the latest patches and updates provided by Atlassian to ensure system security and prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.