CVE-2021-43946 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

CVE-2021-43946, published on December 31, 2021, identifies a Broken Access Control vulnerability in Atlassian Jira Server and Data Center versions before 8.13.21 and from 8.14.0 before 8.20.9.

Understanding CVE-2021-43946

This CVE highlights a security issue allowing authenticated remote attackers to manipulate administrator groups.

What is CVE-2021-43946?

The vulnerability permits authenticated attackers to add administrator groups to filter subscriptions via the /secure/EditSubscription.jspa endpoint.

The Impact of CVE-2021-43946

The CVE allows attackers to alter administrator groups, potentially leading to unauthorized access and data breaches.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-43946

The technical aspects of the CVE include:

Vulnerability Description

Broken Access Control vulnerability in Atlassian Jira Server and Data Center.

Affected Systems and Versions

Atlassian Jira Server versions before 8.13.21
Atlassian Jira Server versions from 8.14.0 before 8.20.9
Atlassian Jira Data Center versions before 8.13.21
Atlassian Jira Data Center versions from 8.14.0 before 8.20.9

Exploitation Mechanism

Authenticated remote attackers exploit the vulnerability in the EditSubscription.jspa endpoint.

Mitigation and Prevention

Preventive measures for CVE-2021-43946:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Atlassian Jira to versions 8.13.21, 8.20.9, or above
Monitor administrator group changes
Restrict access to critical functions

Long-Term Security Practices

Conduct regular security audits
Implement the principle of least privilege
Educate users on secure practices

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches promptly
Stay informed about security updates and advisories