CVE-2019-1003085 in Zephyr Enterprise Test Management Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
A missing permission check in Jenkins Zephyr Enterprise Test Management Plugin in the ZeeDescriptor#doTestConnection form validation method allows attackers with Overall/Read permission to initiate a connection to an attacker-specified server.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/25/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-1003085 resides within the Jenkins Zephyr Enterprise Test Management Plugin, specifically within the ZeeDescriptor#doTestConnection form validation method. This flaw represents a critical permission bypass issue that undermines the security model of the Jenkins platform. The vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers who possess only the Overall/Read permission to initiate arbitrary connections to servers specified by the attacker, effectively creating a vector for unauthorized network probing and potential reconnaissance activities. The Zephyr plugin is commonly used for test management and execution within Jenkins environments, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations that rely on Jenkins for continuous integration and deployment processes. The affected component operates as part of Jenkins' web interface, where form validation methods are expected to enforce proper access controls and prevent unauthorized operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the absence of proper authorization checks within the doTestConnection method, which is designed to validate connection parameters for the Zephyr plugin. This missing permission check creates a pathway for privilege escalation where low-privileged users can leverage the form validation endpoint to perform network operations that should typically require higher privileges. The vulnerability manifests when the plugin processes connection test requests, allowing attackers to specify arbitrary hostnames or IP addresses that the system attempts to connect to. This behavior exposes the underlying Jenkins instance to potential network-based attacks, including but not limited to port scanning, service enumeration, or even potential data exfiltration attempts through the established connections. The flaw operates at the application layer and can be exploited through the web interface without requiring authentication or elevated privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it enables attackers to perform network reconnaissance and potentially establish footholds within the target environment. Organizations using Jenkins with the Zephyr plugin are at risk of having their internal network topology exposed through the connection testing functionality, as attackers can probe various network endpoints to map accessible services. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where Jenkins is deployed in corporate networks with restricted access controls, as it allows attackers to bypass standard network segmentation controls. Additionally, this vulnerability can be leveraged as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, potentially enabling attackers to identify vulnerable services or systems within the network that are accessible from the Jenkins server. The impact is compounded by the fact that Jenkins is often used in CI/CD pipelines, making it a valuable target for attackers seeking to compromise the entire software development lifecycle.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-1003085 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected Jenkins plugin to the latest version that addresses the permission check deficiency. Organizations should implement network-level restrictions to limit outbound connections from Jenkins servers, particularly to sensitive or internal network segments. Access controls should be reviewed and strengthened to ensure that only authorized personnel have the ability to configure external connections within Jenkins. The principle of least privilege should be enforced, ensuring that users with Overall/Read permissions cannot perform operations that involve network connectivity testing. Regular security audits of Jenkins plugins and configurations are essential to identify similar permission bypass vulnerabilities. According to CWE standards, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and could be mapped to ATT&CK techniques such as T1046 for network service scanning and T1071 for application layer protocol usage. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for unusual outbound connection patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of comprehensive security testing for web application interfaces and the critical need for proper authorization enforcement within form validation methods.