CVE-2021-41311 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

CVE-2021-41311 was published on October 26, 2021, by Atlassian, affecting Atlassian Jira Server and Data Center versions before 8.19.1.

Understanding CVE-2021-41311

What is CVE-2021-41311?

CVE-2021-41311 impacts Atlassian Jira Server and Data Center, enabling attackers to modify projects' settings through a Broken Authentication vulnerability.

The Impact of CVE-2021-41311

The vulnerability allows attackers with revoked administrator account access to alter projects' Users & Roles settings, posing a significant security risk.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-41311

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability lies in the /plugins/servlet/project-config/PROJECT/roles endpoint, enabling unauthorized modifications to project configurations.

Affected Systems and Versions

Atlassian Jira Server versions prior to 8.19.1
Atlassian Jira Data Center versions prior to 8.19.1

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers exploit a Broken Authentication vulnerability by gaining access to an administrator account with revoked privileges to manipulate project settings.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Atlassian Jira Server and Data Center to version 8.19.1 or above
Monitor and restrict administrator access
Review and adjust project permissions regularly

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement least privilege access control
Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability scans

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches and updates promptly to mitigate the risk of exploitation.