CVE-2018-1999032 in Pangolin Connector for TestRail Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
A data modification vulnerability exists in Jenkins Agiletestware Pangolin Connector for TestRail Plugin 2.1 and earlier in GlobalConfig.java that allows attackers with Overall/Read permission to override this plugin's configuration by sending crafted HTTP requests to an unprotected endpoint.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/12/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-1999032 represents a critical data modification flaw within the Jenkins Agiletestware Pangolin Connector for TestRail plugin version 2.1 and earlier. This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation and access control mechanisms within the plugin's configuration management system. The vulnerability specifically affects the GlobalConfig.java component which handles global configuration parameters for the plugin's integration with TestRail. Attackers exploiting this flaw can manipulate the plugin's operational parameters through carefully crafted HTTP requests, potentially compromising the integrity of test automation workflows and configuration data within Jenkins environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the plugin's handling of HTTP requests to unprotected endpoints that manage global configuration settings. The flaw allows unauthorized modification of plugin parameters that control integration behavior with TestRail, including authentication credentials, test case mapping configurations, and reporting parameters. This occurs because the plugin fails to properly validate incoming requests or enforce appropriate access controls for configuration modification endpoints. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it requires only Overall/Read permission, which is a relatively low privilege level that many Jenkins users possess, making exploitation accessible to a broader range of potential attackers.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability can lead to significant disruption of test automation processes and potential data integrity compromises within Jenkins environments. An attacker with read permissions could alter test execution parameters, modify authentication settings for TestRail integration, or manipulate reporting configurations that would affect the accuracy and reliability of test results. The modification of global configuration settings could result in failed test executions, incorrect test data reporting, or complete disruption of the integration between Jenkins and TestRail. Additionally, the ability to override plugin configurations may enable attackers to establish persistent access patterns or hide malicious activities within legitimate test automation workflows.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and CWE-79 (Cross-Site Scripting) categories, representing a clear violation of access control principles and potential data manipulation opportunities. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1078 (Valid Accounts) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers can leverage existing read permissions to escalate privileges or manipulate system configurations. The attack surface is particularly relevant for CI/CD environments where Jenkins serves as a central automation hub and where testrail integration is critical for software quality assurance processes.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to plugin versions that address this vulnerability, typically those released after the CVE disclosure. The recommended mitigation strategies include implementing proper access controls for Jenkins plugin endpoints, ensuring that only authorized administrators can modify global configurations, and conducting regular security audits of Jenkins plugins and their configurations. Network segmentation and monitoring of HTTP requests to Jenkins endpoints can help detect unauthorized configuration modifications. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege access controls and regular security assessments of Jenkins environments will help prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in other plugins or components. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date plugin versions and conducting comprehensive security reviews of all Jenkins integrations and automation tools.