CVE-2021-39128Network attack vector

Arbitrary Java code execution via email templates

Published Sep 16, 2021 · Updated Oct 10, 2024

Server-side template injection in Atlassian Jira Server and Data Center allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary Java code. The Email Template feature evaluates administrator-controlled template expressions without neutralizing template-engine syntax, allowing those expressions to invoke Java code. Exploitation requires the Jira Service Management add-on and Jira Administrators access, and successful exploitation grants code execution in the Jira service context.

CVSS severity7.2
High
EPSS probability1.89%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Server-side template injection in Atlassian Jira Server and Data Center allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary Java code. The Email Template feature evaluates administrator-controlled template expressions without neutralizing template-engine syntax, allowing those expressions to invoke Java code. Exploitation requires the Jira Service Management add-on and Jira Administrators access, and successful exploitation grants code execution in the Jira service context.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-39128
Published
Sep 16, 2021
Updated
Oct 10, 2024
Vendor
Atlassian
Product
Jira Server
Classifications
CWE-94, CWE-1336, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
admin

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Sep 16, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Oct 10, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=0 <8.13.12
  2. Affected versionversion=8.14.0 <8.19.1
  3. Affected versionversion=8.14.0 <unspecified
  4. Affected versionversion=unspecified <8.13.12
  5. Affected versionversion=unspecified <8.19.1

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesadmin

What is affected?

Atlassian · Jira Serverversion=0 <8.13.12; version=8.14.0 <8.19.1; version=8.14.0 <unspecified; version=unspecified <8.13.12; version=unspecified <8.19.1
Atlassian · Jira Data Centerversion=0 <8.13.12; version=8.14.0 <8.19.1; version=8.14.0 <unspecified; version=unspecified <8.13.12; version=unspecified <8.19.1

Published CVSS scores

7.2CISA-ADPCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.2NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
6.5NIST NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:P/I:P/A:P

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesadmin
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-94Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')
CWE-1336Improper Neutralization of Special Elements Used in a Template Engine
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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