CVE-2011-4344 in Jenkins
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Jenkins Core in CloudBees Jenkins before 1.438, and 1.409 LTS before 1.409.3 LTS, when a stand-alone container is used, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via vectors related to error messages.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2021
The CVE-2011-4344 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in Jenkins Core that affected multiple versions of the popular continuous integration and delivery platform. This vulnerability specifically targeted CloudBees Jenkins installations running in standalone container mode, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on automated build and deployment processes. The flaw emerged from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the error handling subsystem, where user-supplied data was not properly sanitized before being rendered in web responses. This issue impacted both the standard release line and the long-term support version, with the LTS branch requiring patching to version 1.409.3 LTS to address the vulnerability. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-79, which describes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, commonly known as cross-site scripting.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurred through carefully crafted error messages that would be displayed to users in the web interface. Attackers could manipulate input parameters that would eventually be processed and rendered in error screens, allowing them to inject malicious JavaScript code or HTML content. When legitimate users accessed these error pages, their browsers would execute the injected scripts within the context of the Jenkins application, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or unauthorized administrative actions. The vulnerability was particularly dangerous because it leveraged the legitimate error reporting mechanisms of the application, making it difficult to distinguish between genuine error messages and maliciously crafted payloads. The attack vector involved manipulating parameters that would trigger specific error conditions, which were then reflected back to users without proper sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extended beyond simple script execution, as it could enable attackers to establish persistent access to Jenkins environments and potentially compromise entire build pipelines. Organizations using Jenkins for critical automation processes faced risks of code injection attacks that could disrupt development workflows, steal sensitive credentials stored in build configurations, or provide attackers with elevated privileges within the CI/CD infrastructure. The vulnerability was particularly concerning for enterprises that relied on Jenkins for automated deployment processes, as successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized code deployments or complete system compromise. The attack required minimal privileges and could be executed remotely, making it an attractive target for threat actors seeking to gain persistent access to development environments and infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-4344 focused primarily on applying the vendor-provided patches and updates to affected Jenkins installations. Organizations were advised to upgrade to Jenkins versions 1.438 or 1.409.3 LTS to address the vulnerability, with additional security measures including input validation improvements and enhanced error handling mechanisms. The vulnerability highlighted the importance of proper sanitization of user inputs in web applications, particularly in error reporting systems where data is often displayed without adequate filtering. Security teams were encouraged to implement web application firewalls, conduct regular vulnerability assessments, and establish robust input validation policies to prevent similar issues in other components. This vulnerability also reinforced the need for comprehensive security testing of web applications, particularly in areas where user interaction could influence error handling and output generation. The incident demonstrated the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing proper security controls in continuous integration environments where automated processes handle sensitive data and system access.