CVE-2019-8450 : What You Need to Know

CVE-2019-8450 is a vulnerability found in Atlassian's Jira software that allows remote attackers to execute cross-site scripting attacks through the Optimization plugin.

Understanding CVE-2019-8450

What is CVE-2019-8450?

Before version 7.13.6 and from version 8.0.0 before 8.4.0, Jira's Optimization plugin contains a vulnerability that enables attackers with custom field management permissions to inject malicious HTML or JavaScript code via cross-site scripting (XSS).

The Impact of CVE-2019-8450

This vulnerability can be exploited by remote attackers to execute XSS attacks, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, manipulation, or other malicious activities.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-8450

Vulnerability Description

Multiple templates within the Optimization plugin in Jira are susceptible to a cross-site scripting vulnerability, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary code using custom field names.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Jira
Vendor: Atlassian
Vulnerable Versions:
Versions less than 7.13.6
Version 8.0.0
Versions less than 8.4.0

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers with custom field management permissions can exploit this vulnerability by injecting malicious HTML or JavaScript code through the name of a custom field.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Jira to version 7.13.6 or higher if using a version below this.
Apply patches provided by Atlassian to fix the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit custom fields and plugins for security vulnerabilities.
Educate users on safe coding practices to prevent XSS attacks.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates from Atlassian and apply patches promptly to secure the system.