CVE-2017-1000397 in Maven Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Jenkins Maven Plugin 2.17 and earlier bundled a version of the commons-httpclient library with the vulnerability CVE-2012-6153 that incorrectly verified SSL certificates, making it susceptible to man-in-the-middle attacks. Maven Plugin 3.0 no longer has a dependency on commons-httpclient.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/16/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1000397 represents a critical security flaw within the Jenkins Maven Plugin ecosystem that persisted through versions 2.17 and earlier. This issue stems from the inclusion of an outdated commons-httpclient library version that contained a fundamental flaw in its SSL certificate validation mechanism. The vulnerability specifically maps to CVE-2012-6153 which was originally discovered in the commons-httpclient library and demonstrates how legacy dependencies can create persistent security risks within software development platforms. The Jenkins Maven Plugin's bundling of this vulnerable library created a pathway for attackers to exploit the trust relationships established during secure communications, effectively undermining the integrity of network connections that should have been protected by SSL/TLS protocols.
The technical flaw manifests in the SSL certificate verification process where the commons-httpclient library fails to properly validate server certificates against the expected hostname and certificate authority. This weakness allows attackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks by presenting forged SSL certificates that would be accepted by the vulnerable system. The vulnerability operates at the transport layer security level where the library's certificate validation logic does not adequately check certificate subject names, issuer information, or other critical validation parameters that would normally prevent such attacks. This flaw specifically impacts how the Maven Plugin handles remote repository connections, artifact downloads, and other network operations that require secure communication channels. The vulnerability creates a scenario where attackers can intercept, modify, or redirect network traffic between Jenkins and remote repositories, potentially compromising the integrity of build processes and introducing malicious artifacts into the software supply chain.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple network security concerns as it directly threatens the integrity of Jenkins build environments and the software development lifecycle. When exploited, the vulnerability enables attackers to compromise the authenticity of artifacts downloaded from remote repositories, potentially injecting malicious code or backdoors into the build process. This threat is particularly severe in continuous integration environments where automated builds rely on trusted remote dependencies, as it can lead to supply chain compromises that affect multiple downstream projects. The vulnerability also impacts the trust model of Jenkins installations, where developers and administrators may unknowingly accept compromised artifacts that have been modified during transit. Organizations using affected Jenkins Maven Plugin versions face significant risk of code injection attacks, credential theft, and unauthorized access to their build infrastructure, potentially leading to complete system compromise through the exploitation of the insecure communication channels.
The remediation strategy for CVE-2017-1000397 requires immediate action to upgrade the Jenkins Maven Plugin to version 3.0 or later, which eliminates the dependency on the vulnerable commons-httpclient library. Organizations should conduct comprehensive inventory checks to identify all instances of affected plugin versions across their Jenkins installations and implement patch management procedures to ensure timely updates. The upgrade process should include thorough testing of build processes to verify that the new plugin version maintains compatibility with existing build configurations and repository connections. Security teams should also implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and consider implementing additional security controls such as certificate pinning, network segmentation, and enhanced logging of network communications. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date dependencies and highlights the risks associated with including legacy libraries in security-critical applications. Organizations should establish automated dependency scanning processes to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in their software supply chains, aligning with industry best practices for secure software development and maintaining compliance with security frameworks such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines. This vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of dependency management and the potential for legacy security flaws to persist across multiple software versions and platforms.