CVE-2015-8031 in Hudson
Summary
by MITRE • 07/19/2022
Hudson (aka org.jvnet.hudson.main:hudson-core) before 3.3.2 allows XXE attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/06/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-8031 represents a critical XML External Entity (XXE) flaw affecting Hudson continuous integration server versions prior to 3.3.2. This vulnerability resides within the core processing mechanisms of Hudson's XML handling capabilities, specifically in how the system processes incoming XML data from various sources including configuration files, build definitions, and plugin communications. The XXE vulnerability enables attackers to exploit the XML parser's handling of external entities, potentially allowing unauthorized access to internal systems, file disclosure, and remote code execution. The flaw manifests when Hudson processes XML input without proper validation or sanitization of external entity references, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the parsing behavior and execute arbitrary operations on the affected system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows standard XXE attack patterns where attackers craft malicious XML payloads containing references to external resources or local files. When Hudson processes these malformed XML inputs, the XML parser attempts to resolve external entity references, which can lead to information disclosure through file retrieval or denial of service attacks. The vulnerability specifically impacts Hudson's core functionality where XML data is parsed for configuration management, build execution parameters, and plugin communications. Attackers can leverage this weakness to access sensitive system files, perform server-side request forgery attacks, or potentially escalate privileges within the Hudson environment. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-611, which categorizes XML external entity processing without proper input validation as a significant security risk.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-8031 extends beyond simple data exposure, potentially enabling full system compromise when exploited in conjunction with other attack vectors. Organizations running affected Hudson versions face significant risk of unauthorized access to build artifacts, source code repositories, and sensitive configuration data. The vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Hudson serves as a central build and deployment system, as successful exploitation could lead to complete compromise of the continuous integration infrastructure. Attackers may use the XXE vulnerability to extract system credentials, access internal network resources, or establish persistent access points through compromised build agents. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers server-side request forgery and external entity injection attacks that can be used to bypass security controls and gain unauthorized access to internal systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-8031 primarily focus on updating to Hudson version 3.3.2 or later, which includes proper XML parser configurations that disable external entity resolution. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to Hudson servers, disable unnecessary XML processing capabilities, and establish robust input validation for all XML data entering the system. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of affected Hudson installations and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls with XML filtering capabilities and monitoring for suspicious XML processing activities can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper XML security configuration and input validation in preventing server-side processing attacks that can lead to complete system compromise.