CVE-2014-2068 in Jenkins
Summary
by MITRE
The doIndex function in hudson/util/RemotingDiagnostics.java in CloudBees Jenkins before 1.551 and LTS before 1.532.2 allows remote authenticated users with the ADMINISTER permission to obtain sensitive information via vectors related to heapDump.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/30/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2068 resides within the CloudBees Jenkins continuous integration platform and specifically affects the doIndex function located in hudson/util/RemotingDiagnostics.java. This flaw represents a sensitive information disclosure vulnerability that can be exploited by remote authenticated users who possess the ADMINISTER permission level within the Jenkins environment. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows attackers to access heap dump information that may contain sensitive data such as passwords, session tokens, and other confidential information stored in memory.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and access control mechanisms within the RemotingDiagnostics component of Jenkins. When the doIndex function processes requests related to heap dump operations, it fails to properly restrict access to heap memory information that should be protected from unauthorized viewing. This function essentially provides a pathway for authenticated users to extract detailed memory snapshots from the Jenkins master process, which can reveal critical system information including credentials, configuration data, and potentially application state information. The vulnerability operates under CWE-200, which specifically addresses information exposure through improper information gathering or processing.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables attackers with administrative privileges to gain access to sensitive information that could be leveraged for further exploitation. The heap dump information obtained through this vulnerability may contain database connection strings, API keys, encrypted passwords, and other confidential data that could be used to escalate privileges or compromise additional systems within the network. The attack vector requires only an authenticated user with ADMINISTER permission, which is often granted to system administrators or users with elevated privileges, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where administrative accounts are not properly secured.
The exploitability of CVE-2014-2068 aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1005 (Data from Local System) as attackers can systematically gather information from memory dumps. This vulnerability also relates to T1213 (Data from Information Repositories) as it enables extraction of data from Jenkins' internal repositories and memory structures. Organizations using Jenkins versions prior to 1.551 and LTS versions prior to 1.532.2 are particularly at risk, as these versions contain the vulnerable RemotingDiagnostics implementation that lacks proper access controls for heap dump operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve upgrading to the patched versions of Jenkins where the doIndex function has been properly secured to prevent unauthorized access to heap dump information. Administrators should also implement additional security measures including regular access control reviews, monitoring for unusual heap dump requests, and ensuring that administrative accounts are properly protected with multi-factor authentication. Network segmentation and least privilege principles should be enforced to limit the potential impact of compromised administrative accounts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and access control implementation in security-critical components, particularly those dealing with system memory information that could expose sensitive operational data.