CVE-2019-10366 in Skytap Cloud CI Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Jenkins Skytap Cloud CI Plugin 2.06 and earlier stored credentials unencrypted in job config.xml files on the Jenkins master where they could be viewed by users with Extended Read permission, or access to the master file system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/17/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-10366 affects the Jenkins Skytap Cloud CI Plugin version 2.06 and earlier, presenting a critical security risk through improper credential handling practices. This issue stems from the plugin's failure to encrypt sensitive authentication information when storing credentials within job configuration files, creating a persistent exposure that undermines fundamental security principles of credential protection. The vulnerability specifically targets the Jenkins master server environment where configuration files are stored, making it accessible to unauthorized users who possess Extended Read permission levels or direct access to the master file system.
The technical flaw manifests in the plugin's storage mechanism which writes authentication credentials directly to the job config.xml file without implementing appropriate encryption or obfuscation techniques. This unencrypted storage approach violates core security best practices and creates a significant attack surface where malicious actors can extract sensitive information simply by reading the configuration files. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the Jenkins master node directly, where the plugin stores its configuration data, and allows unauthorized access through legitimate permission levels that should not grant credential visibility. This flaw directly corresponds to CWE-312, which describes the exposure of sensitive information through improper data handling and storage practices, specifically focusing on the storage of sensitive data in an unencrypted format.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables attackers with Extended Read permissions to potentially escalate their privileges and gain unauthorized access to cloud resources managed by Skytap. The exposure of credentials in plain text within configuration files creates opportunities for lateral movement within the Jenkins environment and potential access to connected cloud services, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Jenkins serves as a central CI/CD platform. Attackers could leverage these exposed credentials to compromise cloud infrastructure, perform unauthorized operations, or establish persistent access to the CI/CD pipeline, fundamentally undermining the security posture of the entire development environment. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552.001, which focuses on unsecured credentials, and represents a classic example of insufficient data protection mechanisms within CI/CD systems.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigation strategies including upgrading to the patched version of the Skytap Cloud CI Plugin, implementing additional access controls to limit Extended Read permissions, and conducting comprehensive audits of stored credentials within Jenkins configuration files. The recommended approach involves enabling encryption for credential storage, implementing proper access controls, and establishing monitoring for unauthorized access attempts to configuration files. Security teams should also consider implementing additional layers of protection such as credential rotation policies, multi-factor authentication for administrative access, and regular security assessments of CI/CD environments to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced through third-party plugins. This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of secure credential management within continuous integration and deployment systems, where the exposure of authentication information can have cascading effects on entire infrastructure environments.