CVE-2016-3101 in Extra Columns Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Extra Columns plugin before 1.17 in Jenkins allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML by leveraging failure to filter tool tips through the configured markup formatter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/12/2022
The CVE-2016-3101 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Extra Columns plugin for Jenkins, specifically affecting versions prior to 1.17. This vulnerability exposes Jenkins instances to remote code execution risks through malicious script injection, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on continuous integration and deployment pipelines. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the plugin's tooltip handling functionality, creating an attack vector that adversaries can exploit to compromise the integrity of Jenkins environments.
The technical flaw manifests in the plugin's failure to properly filter tooltip content through the configured markup formatter, which is designed to sanitize user input before rendering it in web interfaces. When users configure tooltips for various Jenkins elements, the plugin processes this information without sufficient sanitization, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary HTML or JavaScript code. This weakness directly aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as a result of insufficient input validation and output encoding. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages the legitimate tooltip functionality that administrators and developers commonly use, making the malicious code appear to originate from trusted sources within the Jenkins interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive credentials, and manipulate Jenkins configurations. An attacker could craft malicious tooltips that execute scripts when users view job configurations or build details, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects Jenkins installations where the Extra Columns plugin is deployed, making it particularly concerning for organizations with multiple Jenkins servers or those that extensively use plugin functionality. This flaw creates a persistent threat vector that can remain undetected for extended periods, as the injected scripts execute in the context of authenticated users' browsers.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to Extra Columns plugin version 1.17 or later to remediate this vulnerability, as no effective workarounds exist for the underlying sanitization issue. The recommended mitigation strategy involves implementing strict input validation policies for all user-provided content, particularly in tooltip and description fields. Security teams should also consider implementing content security policies to limit script execution capabilities within Jenkins environments. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input sanitization in web applications and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001, which covers command and scripting interpreter execution. Regular security assessments and plugin updates should be integrated into organizational security practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities from compromising CI/CD infrastructure.