# CVE-2021-26086: Atlassian Jira Server and Data Center Path Traversal Vulnerability

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2021-26086-atlassian-jira-server-and-data-center-path-traversal  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2024-11-12. Updated: 2026-05-09  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2021-26086 · Severity: critical · CVSS 5.3 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2024-11-12

Atlassian Jira Server and Data Center are vulnerable to path traversal via the /WEB-INF/web.xml endpoint. A remote, unauthenticated attacker can exploit this to read sensitive configuration files. This vulnerability has been observed being exploited in the wild.

Technologies: [Atlassian Data Center](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/data-center), [Atlassian Jira Data Center](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/jira-data-center), [Atlassian Jira Server](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/jira-server). Vendors: [Atlassian](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/atlassian).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2021-26086 exploited in the wild?** Yes. CVE-2021-26086 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 12 November 2024. Treat it as urgent.

**How severe is CVE-2021-26086?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 5.3, published 12 November 2024.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Atlassian Jira Server < 8.5.14, 8.6.0 to < 8.13.6, 8.14.0 to < 8.16.1; Atlassian Jira Data Center < 8.5.14, 8.6.0 to < 8.13.6, 8.14.0 to < 8.16.1.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2021-26086?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2021-26086 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a network appliance.

**Am I affected by CVE-2021-26086?** Check whether you run Atlassian Data Center, Atlassian Jira Data Center or Atlassian Jira Server. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Affected products

- Atlassian Jira Server < 8.5.14, 8.6.0 to < 8.13.6, 8.14.0 to < 8.16.1
- Atlassian Jira Data Center < 8.5.14, 8.6.0 to < 8.13.6, 8.14.0 to < 8.16.1

## Timeline

- 2021-08-30: disclosed: Initial NVD analysis date
- 2024-11-12: kev added: Added to CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog
- 2024-11-12: exploited: Confirmed as exploited in the wild per CISA KEV entry

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- [Atlassian Jira Server and Data Center Server-Side Template Injection Vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2019-11581-atlassian-jira-server-and-data-center-server-side-template)
- [Atlassian Confluence Server and Data Center Path Traversal Vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2019-3398-atlassian-confluence-server-and-data-center-path-traversal)