CVE-2020-14168 : Security Advisory and Response

Jira Server and Data Center versions before 7.13.16, 8.5.7, 8.8.2, and 8.9.1 are affected by a man-in-the-middle vulnerability in the email client.

Understanding CVE-2020-14168

This CVE involves a security issue in the email client of Jira Server and Data Center versions.

What is CVE-2020-14168?

The vulnerability allows remote attackers to intercept outgoing emails between a Jira instance and the SMTP server through a man-in-the-middle attack.

The Impact of CVE-2020-14168

The vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive email content, compromising the confidentiality of communications.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-14168

This section provides more technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The email client in affected Jira Server and Data Center versions is susceptible to man-in-the-middle attacks, enabling unauthorized access to email communications.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Jira Server and Data Center
Versions Affected:
Before 7.13.16
From 8.5.0 before 8.5.7
From 8.8.0 before 8.8.2
From 8.9.0 before 8.9.1

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by intercepting and accessing outgoing emails between the Jira instance and the SMTP server.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your systems from CVE-2020-14168 with the following measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Jira Server and Data Center to versions 7.13.16, 8.5.7, 8.8.2, or 8.9.1 to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor email communications for any unauthorized access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement encryption protocols for email communications to prevent interception.
Regularly update and patch Jira Server and Data Center to address security vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of security patches and updates provided by Atlassian for Jira Server and Data Center.