CVE-2017-5983 Scanner

The JIRA Workflow Designer Plugin is a tool used within the Atlassian JIRA Server environment to design and manage workflows. It is widely used by teams to streamline processes and improve efficiency through customizable workflows. The plugin allows users to define rules and statuses, contributing to enhanced productivity in managing tasks and projects. By integrating directly with JIRA, it becomes an essential part of the software development and issue tracking lifecycle. The plugin is primarily leveraged by development teams, project managers, and business analysts to automate workflow processes. It provides a visual interface for designing workflows, making it accessible to both technical and non-technical users.

The vulnerability in question allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or perform malicious actions through the exploitation of improperly handled XML inputs. This type of vulnerability often results from unsafe XML parsing and serialization processes. When exploited, the vulnerability may cause severe impacts such as the unauthorized execution of scripts or commands on the server. It is essential to address this issue promptly as it can compromise the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of the system. XXE vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they can be exploited remotely without authentication. Patches and updates are typically released by vendors to mitigate such vulnerabilities.

This vulnerability occurs due to improper XML parser and deserializer usage within the plugin. Specifically, it allows for XML External Entity (XXE) attacks that can lead to various severe outcomes. The vulnerable end point in the JIRA workflow involves serialized Java objects, which can be manipulated through maliciously crafted XML content. Typically, the exploitation process involves sending specially crafted XML data to the server. When the server processes this data, it can lead to the execution of arbitrary code, file disclosure, or denial of service. The use of insecure deserialization methods further aggravates the potential risk associated with this vulnerability.

The exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to critical security impacts on the affected JIRA server. Potential effects include unauthorized access to sensitive information, execution of arbitrary commands, and system disruption. Attackers could gain backdoor access, persistently compromising the server. Additionally, it can be exploited to cause crashes or bring down services, resulting in denial of service. Information leakage is another possible consequence, where attackers gain access to confidential files and data. Furthermore, successful exploitation can pave the way for other types of attacks through privilege escalation or additional payloads.

REFERENCES

• https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-5983
• https://code-white.com/blog/2017-04-amf/