CVE-2014-9634 in Jenkins
Summary
by MITRE
Jenkins before 1.586 does not set the secure flag on session cookies when run on Tomcat 7.0.41 or later, which makes it easier for remote attackers to capture cookies by intercepting their transmission within an HTTP session.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9634 represents a critical security flaw in Jenkins continuous integration server versions prior to 1.586. This issue specifically affects deployments running on Tomcat 7.0.41 and later versions where the secure flag is not properly configured on session cookies. The secure flag is a fundamental web application security mechanism that instructs web browsers to transmit cookies only over secure HTTPS connections, thereby preventing interception during data transmission. Without this flag, session cookies become vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks and session hijacking attempts.
The technical implementation flaw stems from Jenkins' default cookie configuration when integrated with Tomcat servlet containers. When Jenkins operates on Tomcat 7.0.41 or newer, the application fails to explicitly set the secure flag on its session cookies, leaving them susceptible to transmission over unencrypted HTTP connections. This configuration oversight creates a pathway for remote attackers to capture session cookies through network sniffing or packet interception techniques. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it directly undermines the fundamental security principle of protecting authenticated session information from unauthorized access during network transmission.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple cookie interception, as it enables attackers to potentially hijack user sessions and gain unauthorized access to Jenkins servers. This creates a significant risk for organizations relying on Jenkins for automated build processes, deployment management, and continuous integration workflows. Attackers can exploit this weakness to execute privileged actions within Jenkins, access sensitive build artifacts, manipulate CI/CD pipelines, and potentially compromise the entire software development infrastructure. The vulnerability affects any organization using Jenkins in environments where HTTP traffic is not properly secured or where attackers can intercept network communications.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of CWE-614, which addresses insecure cookies, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 for credential access through interception. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading Jenkins to version 1.586 or later, ensuring proper Tomcat configuration with secure cookie settings, and implementing mandatory HTTPS enforcement. Additional protective measures include network segmentation, monitoring for suspicious authentication patterns, and implementing multi-factor authentication for administrative Jenkins access. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper cookie security configuration in web applications and demonstrates how seemingly minor configuration issues can create significant security risks in enterprise environments.