CVE-2016-0788 in Jenkins
Summary
by MITRE
The remoting module in CloudBees Jenkins before 1.650 and LTS before 1.642.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by opening a JRMP listener.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/12/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0788 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within the remoting module of CloudBees Jenkins versions prior to 1.650 and LTS versions before 1.642.2. This vulnerability stems from the insecure handling of JRMP (Java Remote Method Protocol) connections within the Jenkins remoting infrastructure, which provides the foundation for distributed builds and plugin communications across Jenkins instances. The flaw allows remote attackers to establish JRMP listeners that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code on the target Jenkins server with the privileges of the Jenkins process, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of Jenkins' remoting module which is designed to facilitate communication between Jenkins master and slave nodes. When a JRMP listener is opened, it creates a communication channel that can be exploited by attackers to send malicious serialized Java objects. These objects, when deserialized by the Jenkins server, trigger arbitrary code execution without proper authentication or authorization checks. The vulnerability specifically affects the way Jenkins handles incoming JRMP connections, particularly when the system is configured to accept connections from untrusted sources or when Jenkins is running in a network environment where such connections could be intercepted or injected.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with the ability to gain full control over Jenkins servers and potentially use them as launch points for further attacks within the network infrastructure. Since Jenkins is commonly used as a central automation hub in continuous integration and deployment pipelines, compromising a Jenkins server can lead to unauthorized access to source code repositories, build artifacts, and deployment systems. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Jenkins serves as a critical component in software development workflows, potentially allowing attackers to disrupt development processes, steal intellectual property, or inject malicious code into production builds.
Organizations should immediately apply the security patches released by CloudBees for Jenkins versions 1.650 and LTS 1.642.2 to address this vulnerability. System administrators should also implement network-level restrictions to prevent unauthorized JRMP connections, particularly by blocking incoming connections on the default JRMP port 1099 and other related ports used by the remoting module. The mitigation strategy should include configuring Jenkins to disable the remoting module when not required, implementing proper network segmentation, and monitoring for suspicious network activity related to JRMP connections. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing security controls such as firewall rules that restrict access to Jenkins remoting endpoints and ensure that Jenkins instances are not exposed to untrusted networks. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-502, which addresses deserialization of untrusted data, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for remote code execution through Java deserialization.