CVE-2018-1000414 in Config File Provider Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
A cross-site request forgery vulnerability exists in Jenkins Config File Provider Plugin 3.1 and earlier in ConfigFilesManagement.java, FolderConfigFileAction.java that allows creating and editing configuration file definitions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/27/2020
The cross-site request forgery vulnerability identified in CVE-2018-1000414 affects the Jenkins Config File Provider Plugin version 3.1 and earlier, representing a critical security weakness that undermines the integrity of configuration management within Jenkins environments. This vulnerability resides in the ConfigFilesManagement.java and FolderConfigFileAction.java components, which handle the creation and editing of configuration file definitions through web interfaces. The flaw enables malicious actors to exploit the trust relationship between the Jenkins server and its authenticated users, potentially allowing unauthorized modifications to critical configuration files that govern various aspects of the continuous integration and delivery pipelines.
The technical implementation of this CSRF vulnerability stems from the absence of proper anti-CSRF token validation in the affected plugin components. When users navigate to the configuration file management interfaces, the plugin fails to verify that requests originate from legitimate user interactions rather than maliciously crafted requests. This weakness allows attackers to construct specially crafted HTTP requests that, when executed by an authenticated Jenkins user, can create or modify configuration files without the user's knowledge or consent. The vulnerability specifically impacts the administrative capabilities of Jenkins, as the affected endpoints permit operations that can alter the configuration files used by build jobs, plugins, and system components.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data modification, as configuration files often contain sensitive information such as credentials, API keys, and system parameters that control access to critical resources. An attacker who successfully exploits this CSRF vulnerability could potentially inject malicious configuration data that redirects build processes to unauthorized servers, steals sensitive credentials, or modifies build scripts to execute malicious code. This threat is particularly severe in enterprise environments where Jenkins serves as a central hub for automated build and deployment processes, as unauthorized configuration changes could compromise entire CI/CD pipelines and potentially lead to supply chain attacks. The vulnerability affects both global and folder-level configuration management, meaning that attackers could target specific project folders or the entire Jenkins instance.
Mitigation strategies for this CSRF vulnerability should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the security flaw, as the Jenkins team released patches specifically designed to implement proper anti-CSRF token validation in the affected components. Organizations should also implement additional security controls such as network segmentation to limit access to Jenkins administrative interfaces, enforce multi-factor authentication for administrative accounts, and conduct regular security audits of configuration files to detect unauthorized modifications. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which categorizes cross-site request forgery as a critical weakness in web applications, and corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which addresses valid accounts as a means of gaining access to systems. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious administrative activities that could indicate exploitation attempts.