CVE-2017-1000113 in Jenkins
Summary
by MITRE
The Deploy to container Plugin stored passwords unencrypted as part of its configuration. This allowed users with Jenkins master local file system access, or users with Extended Read access to the jobs it is used in, to retrieve those passwords. The Deploy to container Plugin now integrates with Credentials Plugin to store passwords securely, and automatically migrates existing passwords.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1000113 affects the Deploy to container Plugin within Jenkins continuous integration and delivery platform. This issue represents a critical security flaw in how sensitive authentication credentials are handled within the build automation environment. The vulnerability stems from the plugin's improper handling of password storage, which violates fundamental security principles for credential management in automated systems. The flaw specifically impacts organizations that rely on Jenkins for their software delivery pipelines and container deployment orchestration.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability lies in the plugin's design decision to store passwords in plain text format within the Jenkins master's local file system. This approach directly contravenes established security practices for credential storage and creates multiple attack vectors for unauthorized access. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-312, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper handling of credentials. When the plugin processes container deployment configurations, it writes authentication tokens and passwords to configuration files without any form of encryption or obfuscation, making them immediately accessible to any entity with read access to the Jenkins master's file system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it creates a persistent security risk for organizations using Jenkins for containerized deployments. Users with local file system access to the Jenkins master can directly read these unencrypted passwords, while users with Extended Read access to jobs that utilize the plugin can also extract the sensitive information through the job configuration interfaces. This dual attack surface significantly increases the potential for unauthorized access to container registries, deployment environments, and other systems requiring authentication. The vulnerability essentially transforms the Jenkins master into a credential vault containing unencrypted authentication tokens that can be exploited by both internal and external threat actors.
The remediation approach for this vulnerability involves integrating the plugin with Jenkins' established Credentials Plugin framework, which provides secure credential storage mechanisms. This integration ensures that passwords are encrypted at rest and managed through Jenkins' established credential management system. The solution also includes automatic migration of existing passwords from the insecure format to the secure format, minimizing disruption to existing workflows while ensuring comprehensive protection. This approach aligns with the ATT&CK framework's credential access tactics and provides a robust defense against similar vulnerabilities in container deployment automation. Organizations should implement this update immediately and conduct thorough security reviews of their Jenkins configurations to ensure no other plugins are storing credentials insecurely, as this vulnerability represents a common pattern in build automation tooling that requires careful credential management practices.