CVE-2020-14173 : Security Advisory and Response

Atlassian Jira Server versions before 8.5.4, from 8.6.0 before 8.6.2, and from 8.7.0 before 8.7.1 are vulnerable to a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attack through the file upload feature.

Understanding CVE-2020-14173

This CVE involves a security vulnerability in Atlassian Jira Server that allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary HTML or JavaScript via a cross-site scripting (XSS) flaw.

What is CVE-2020-14173?

The file upload feature in Atlassian Jira Server and Data Center in affected versions allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary HTML or JavaScript via a cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability. The affected versions are before version 8.5.4, from version 8.6.0 before 8.6.2, and from version 8.7.0 before 8.7.1.

The Impact of CVE-2020-14173

Remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability to inject malicious code into Jira Server, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data theft, or further attacks.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-14173

This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows attackers to perform stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks by uploading files containing malicious HTML or JavaScript code.

Affected Systems and Versions

Atlassian Jira Server versions before 8.5.4
Atlassian Jira Server versions from 8.6.0 before 8.6.2
Atlassian Jira Server versions from 8.7.0 before 8.7.1

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by uploading specially crafted files containing malicious scripts, which are then executed within the context of the user's browser when accessed.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-14173 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Jira Server to version 8.5.4 or higher to mitigate the vulnerability.
Educate users to avoid opening files from untrusted sources to prevent XSS attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit file uploads for malicious content.
Implement content security policies to restrict the execution of scripts from untrusted sources.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches provided by Atlassian promptly to address known vulnerabilities and enhance system security.