CVE-2017-2612 in Jenkins
Summary
by MITRE
In Jenkins before versions 2.44, 2.32.2 low privilege users were able to override JDK download credentials (SECURITY-392), resulting in future builds possibly failing to download a JDK.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/13/2023
This vulnerability exists in Jenkins versions prior to 2.44 and 2.32.2 where low privilege users could exploit a security flaw to override JDK download credentials. The issue stems from insufficient access controls during the JDK download process, allowing unauthorized users to modify credential configurations that are critical for build operations. This represents a significant privilege escalation vulnerability that undermines the security model of the continuous integration platform.
The technical flaw manifests in the credential management system where Jenkins fails to properly validate user permissions when attempting to modify JDK download settings. Low privilege users can manipulate the credential storage mechanisms to replace legitimate JDK download credentials with their own malicious credentials. This vulnerability falls under the category of insecure credential handling and privilege escalation as defined by CWE-255. The flaw allows attackers to potentially disrupt build processes by causing subsequent builds to fail when attempting to download JDK components using invalid or compromised credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential manipulation as it can lead to complete build failures and system disruption. When builds fail to download JDK components, entire CI/CD pipelines become non-functional, potentially blocking deployments and development workflows. This vulnerability directly affects the availability and reliability of Jenkins-based build environments, making it a critical concern for organizations relying on automated build processes. The disruption can cascade through dependent systems and cause significant delays in software delivery cycles.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to Jenkins versions 2.44 or 2.32.2 to address this vulnerability. The recommended mitigation involves implementing proper access controls and privilege separation for credential management operations. Administrators should also conduct thorough security audits of existing credential configurations and monitor for unauthorized modifications. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1548.001 which covers privilege escalation through abuse of credentials. Additionally, organizations should implement principle of least privilege policies and regularly review access permissions to prevent similar credential-related vulnerabilities from compromising system integrity.