CVE-2013-5573 in Jenkins
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the default markup formatter in CloudBees Jenkins 1.523 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the Description field in the user configuration.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-5573 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness within CloudBees Jenkins version 1.523, specifically affecting the default markup formatter component. This issue arises from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-provided content before rendering it within web interfaces. The vulnerability manifests when attackers exploit the Description field in user configuration settings, enabling them to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers. This flaw resides in the core web application framework's handling of user-generated content, making it particularly dangerous as it affects the fundamental security model of the Jenkins platform.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the default markup formatter's insufficient sanitization of HTML content within user descriptions. When Jenkins processes and displays user-provided text in the configuration interface, it fails to adequately escape or filter special characters that could be interpreted as executable script code. This weakness allows attackers to craft malicious payloads containing javascript code, html tags, or other potentially harmful content that gets executed when other users view the affected user's profile information. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically targets the web interface rendering logic that processes user input without proper security controls. According to CWE classification, this corresponds to CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a well-established category of web application vulnerabilities that directly enables XSS attacks. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this under TA0001 - Initial Access with technique T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, highlighting how attackers can leverage such vulnerabilities to establish footholds within target environments.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-5573 extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive information and system compromise capabilities. When users with valid credentials view affected profiles, their browsers execute the injected malicious code, which could redirect them to phishing sites, steal session cookies, or perform actions on their behalf. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where Jenkins serves as a central automation platform, as it could enable attackers to escalate privileges or gain access to build artifacts, source code repositories, and other sensitive operational data. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require local system access, making it accessible to attackers from anywhere on the internet. This vulnerability directly undermines the integrity and confidentiality of the Jenkins environment, potentially allowing for persistent access and data exfiltration. The impact is amplified in continuous integration/continuous deployment environments where Jenkins orchestrates critical software development workflows, making successful exploitation potentially devastating to organizational security posture. Organizations relying on Jenkins for automated build processes face the risk that attackers could inject malicious code into build artifacts or manipulate the build pipeline itself.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-5573 should focus on immediate patching of the Jenkins platform to version 1.524 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Administrators should also implement input validation measures at multiple levels, including server-side sanitization of all user-provided content and enforcement of strict output encoding for web rendering. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by limiting user permissions and restricting access to configuration interfaces where possible. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the Jenkins ecosystem. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection, while security monitoring should be implemented to detect and respond to suspicious activities. Organizations should also consider implementing content security policies that restrict script execution within the Jenkins environment, and maintain up-to-date vulnerability management processes to ensure timely patch deployment across all Jenkins instances in their infrastructure. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patched versions to ensure that legitimate functionality remains intact while the security vulnerability is resolved.