Co-authored by Vish Reddy from Revyz and Kyle Moseley from Blue Ridge Consultants.
Jira and Confluence are popular tools for issue tracking and collaboration. Atlassian, the company that makes them, has announced that they will stop supporting the Server versions of these applications in 2024. The cessation of support not only means that there will be no new features added, it also means that Atlassian will no longer fix any security flaws or issues that leave your data and your business exposed.
There have been many documented security vulnerabilities found in Jira and Confluence software over the years. These vulnerabilities range from minor to critical and some, could be used by attackers to access sensitive data or disrupt business operations.
It is important to take action and address any vulnerabilities in your Jira and Confluence Server instances before they reach end of life in 2024. Failing to do so could put your business at risk.
This rise in both frequency and sophistication, has dramatically increased the risks to businesses who have software with un-patched systems.
A Common Vulnerability and Exposure, or CVE, refers to a security flaw in any software that attackers can exploit to gain unauthorized access to your application. In Jira or Confluence Server, vulnerabilities can come into existence through various means, including:
Exploiting a vulnerability in Jira or Confluence Server software could have serious consequences. Attackers could potentially access sensitive data, such as customer records, financial information, or intellectual property stored in these applications. They might also disrupt business operations by tampering with data or even taking down the entire application.
Besides the risks to data and operations, these vulnerabilities could harm your reputation. If your customers or partners discover that your Jira and/or Confluence Server instance has been compromised, it may erode their trust in your organization.
For reference, Atlassian's product portfolio has had 414 vulnerabilities reported in the past 10 years. You can find more details here: https://www.cvedetails.com/vendor/3578/Atlassian.html
Of the 414, 143 of them are attributed to Jira alone
To address Jira and Confluence Server vulnerabilities, you can take several steps:
Now, considering your strategic options, you have a choice between migrating to the Atlassian Cloud or moving to the Data Center versions of these applications. In this blog post, the focus will be on migrating to the Atlassian Cloud.
By following these steps and considering a strategic shift to the Atlassian Cloud, you can better protect your Jira and Confluence Server instances and enhance your overall security posture.
Migrating to the Atlassian Cloud is one of the best ways to address Jira and Confluence Server vulnerabilities. The Atlassian Cloud is a hosted version of Jira and Confluence, managed and maintained by Atlassian. With this setup, Atlassian takes care of applying security patches and keeping the Cloud environment up to date. Therefore, you can have confidence that your Jira and Confluence instances in the Cloud are protected from known vulnerabilities.
Apart from the security benefits, the Atlassian Cloud offers several other advantages over the Server version:
Jira and Confluence Server vulnerabilities pose significant risks to businesses relying on these applications. To safeguard your data, operations, and reputation from potential attacks, it's crucial to proactively address these vulnerabilities.
If you're worried about the potential risks associated with Jira and Confluence Server vulnerabilities, I strongly advise considering a migration to Atlassian Cloud. The Atlassian Cloud offers a secure, scalable, and user-friendly platform that can effectively shield your business from the dangers posed by Jira Server vulnerabilities. By making this transition, you'll be taking a proactive step towards fortifying your organization's security and ensuring a safer digital environment.