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To investigate possible unauthorized file access in Atlassian Data Center, preserve the relevant application audit and HTTP access logs, then correlate attachment requests with timestamps, accounts, source addresses, response codes, and other security records. Check browser and REST API routes, every applicable cluster node, and any reverse-proxy or load-balancer logs. A request in an access log is evidence that a request was made—not proof of which person received or opened the file.
Start by defining the incident window and preserving records
Before searching, identify the product involved (such as Jira or Confluence), its installed version, the suspected file or attachment, the incident window and timezone, relevant accounts, cluster nodes, and the proxy or load-balancer path. Find out which logs were enabled and how long they are retained.
Export or copy the records for the relevant period before routine rotation or cleanup removes them. Keep the original files and note when and from which source or node each copy was collected, following your organization’s evidence-handling process.
Check what the application audit log could record
Confluence Data Center
In Confluence Data Center, attachment-download events are documented under Full end-user activity coverage. The Confluence 10.2 event list places “Attachment downloaded” and “Attachment uploaded” in that coverage; attachment deletion and version deletion are listed under Advanced coverage. Check the coverage configured during the incident period and whether records for that period still exist. If Full coverage was not enabled, you cannot assume historical download events were recorded. Atlassian notes that Full coverage can produce high event volume and affect database and disk usage. Atlassian’s Confluence 10.2 audit event list describes the event categories; confirm behavior against the version you run.
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Jira Data Center
Do not assume Jira’s application audit log has a particular attachment-download event without checking the documentation and configuration for your installed version. Use Jira’s HTTP access logs as a separate source for request evidence, and verify the local access-log format and settings.
Search HTTP access logs for attachment requests
Jira Tomcat access logs
Search Jira’s Tomcat access log for attachment-related URLs during the incident window. Atlassian’s example shows a download URL containing an attachment ID. The ID can help identify the requested attachment, but mapping it to an issue may require custom logic. The Tomcat access log records the request URL, not the request payload; it does not expose the body of an uploaded file. See Atlassian’s guidance on attachment activity in Tomcat logs.
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Group requests by available fields
Depending on the configured log format, Jira access logs can include the originating IP address, a non-anonymous user, HTTP method, endpoint, and response code. Atlassian describes these logs as covering browser and API requests, making them useful for spotting unusual access patterns or automation. Review the fields actually present in your deployment rather than assuming every log has the same format. See Atlassian’s Jira access-log parsing guidance.
For each relevant request, record the timestamp, account if available, source address, method, endpoint, response status, and attachment ID where present. Use the response status as context, not as proof that a person received or understood a file.
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Include REST API requests and all relevant nodes
Search API routes as well as browser routes
Attachment actions can be performed through Jira REST API endpoints, so searching only for browser-style download URLs can miss relevant requests. Match endpoint patterns to the installed Jira version’s API documentation and the deployment’s configuration; do not assume a universal route pattern. Atlassian specifically recommends considering REST requests in an attachment investigation.
Collect records across the deployment
Determine where each relevant application and audit log is written, then collect from every applicable node. Also check proxy and load-balancer logs if they are retained; they may provide client context that is not present in an application log. Log locations and fields vary by product and deployment.
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Atlassian’s Bitbucket Data Center documentation describes a local audit-log directory on each cluster node. That is a Bitbucket-specific detail, not a path to apply to Jira or Confluence; verify those products’ locations independently. See Bitbucket Data Center audit logging documentation.
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Correlate the evidence before drawing a conclusion
Build a timeline using the available request timestamps, accounts, source addresses, endpoints, response statuses, attachment IDs, application audit events, authentication records, and proxy records. Check whether requests came from a known user session, an unfamiliar address, or a service account or automation pattern. The appropriate interpretation depends on the records your deployment actually retains.
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A successful-looking access-log entry is a lead for investigation, not conclusive proof that a particular person received or opened a file. State what the records establish and what remains uncertain—for example, anonymous requests, disabled audit coverage, rotated logs, missing node records, or API paths not included in the search. Atlassian’s security practices guidance recommends reviewing audit settings and using access logs to investigate unusual activity, but does not define a universal query or retention period.
Quick Recap
What each log source can establish
| Source | Useful evidence | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Confluence application audit log | Documented attachment events, including download and upload under Full end-user activity coverage in the 10.2 event list. | Coverage must have been configured, and the relevant period must still be retained. Full coverage can increase database and disk usage. |
| Jira Tomcat access log | Request URL and potentially attachment ID; configured fields may also include account, IP, method, endpoint, and response code. | Does not include the request payload; correlating an attachment ID to an issue may require custom logic. |
| Jira REST API access requests | Evidence of attachment actions made through API routes that may not appear as the browser route being searched. | Verify exact route patterns against the installed version and local configuration. |
| Proxy, load-balancer, and identity-provider records | Potential additional source-address and authentication context for correlation. | Availability, retained period, and fields depend on the deployment. |
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