CVE-2023-26255: Stagil Navigation Path Traversal Flaw

CVE-2023-26255 Overview

An unauthenticated path traversal vulnerability affects the "STAGIL Navigation for Jira - Menu & Themes" plugin before version 2.0.52 for Jira. By modifying the fileName parameter to the snjCustomDesignConfig endpoint, it is possible to traverse and read the file system. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to access sensitive files on the Jira server without requiring any authentication, potentially exposing configuration files, credentials, and other sensitive data.

Critical Impact

Remote unauthenticated attackers can read arbitrary files from Jira servers running vulnerable versions of the STAGIL Navigation plugin, potentially exposing sensitive configuration data, credentials, and internal system information.

Affected Products

• STAGIL Navigation for Jira - Menu & Themes versions prior to 2.0.52
• Jira instances with the vulnerable STAGIL Navigation plugin installed
• Both cloud and self-hosted Jira deployments using the affected plugin versions

Discovery Timeline

• 2023-02-28 - CVE CVE-2023-26255 published to NVD
• 2025-03-18 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2023-26255

Vulnerability Analysis

This path traversal vulnerability (CWE-22) exists in the STAGIL Navigation for Jira plugin's snjCustomDesignConfig endpoint. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation on the fileName parameter, which allows attackers to use directory traversal sequences (such as ../) to escape the intended directory and access arbitrary files on the underlying file system.

The attack requires no authentication, making it particularly dangerous in internet-facing Jira deployments. An attacker can craft malicious HTTP requests that manipulate the file path to read sensitive files such as /etc/passwd, Jira configuration files containing database credentials, or other sensitive system files.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability is improper input validation and sanitization of the fileName parameter in the snjCustomDesignConfig endpoint. The application fails to properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that could resolve to a location outside the intended restricted directory. This allows path traversal sequences to be processed, enabling attackers to traverse the directory structure and access files outside the intended scope.

Attack Vector

The attack is network-based and requires no authentication or user interaction. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by sending specially crafted HTTP requests to the vulnerable endpoint with manipulated fileName parameter values containing directory traversal sequences. The attack can be conducted remotely against any Jira instance running a vulnerable version of the STAGIL Navigation plugin that is accessible over the network.

The vulnerable endpoint snjCustomDesignConfig accepts a fileName parameter that should normally reference design configuration files. By injecting path traversal sequences like ../../../etc/passwd, an attacker can read arbitrary files accessible to the Jira application's system user. For detailed technical analysis, refer to the GitHub CVE Analysis.

Detection Methods for CVE-2023-26255

Indicators of Compromise

• HTTP requests to snjCustomDesignConfig endpoint containing ../ sequences in the fileName parameter
• Unusual access patterns to the STAGIL Navigation plugin endpoints from external IP addresses
• Web server logs showing requests attempting to read system files like /etc/passwd, configuration files, or credential stores
• Multiple failed or successful file read attempts targeting sensitive directories

Detection Strategies

• Monitor web application firewall (WAF) logs for path traversal patterns in request parameters targeting Jira endpoints
• Implement URL pattern matching rules to detect ../ sequences in HTTP request parameters
• Review Jira access logs for anomalous requests to the snjCustomDesignConfig endpoint
• Deploy intrusion detection signatures to identify path traversal exploitation attempts

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose logging on Jira instances to capture full request URLs and parameters
• Configure alerts for any requests containing path traversal indicators (../, ..%2f, %2e%2e/)
• Monitor file access attempts from the Jira application process for unusual file paths outside the web root
• Implement real-time log analysis to detect and respond to exploitation attempts

How to Mitigate CVE-2023-26255

Immediate Actions Required

• Upgrade the STAGIL Navigation for Jira plugin to version 2.0.52 or later immediately
• If immediate patching is not possible, temporarily disable or remove the vulnerable plugin
• Review Jira server logs for any evidence of exploitation attempts
• Audit sensitive files that may have been accessed and rotate any potentially exposed credentials

Patch Information

The vulnerability has been addressed in STAGIL Navigation for Jira version 2.0.52 and later. Administrators should update the plugin through the Atlassian Marketplace to obtain the patched version. For cloud-hosted Jira instances, verify with your Atlassian administrator that the plugin has been updated.

Workarounds

• Implement WAF rules to block requests containing path traversal sequences targeting Jira endpoints
• Restrict network access to the Jira instance to trusted IP ranges only
• Disable the STAGIL Navigation plugin until patching can be completed
• Use a reverse proxy to filter malicious requests before they reach the Jira server

# Example WAF rule to block path traversal attempts (ModSecurity)
SecRule REQUEST_URI "@contains ../" "id:1001,phase:1,deny,status:403,msg:'Path Traversal Attempt Blocked'"
SecRule ARGS "@contains ../" "id:1002,phase:2,deny,status:403,msg:'Path Traversal in Parameter Blocked'"