CVE-2019-10396 in Dashboard View Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Jenkins Dashboard View Plugin 2.11 and earlier did not escape build descriptions, resulting in a cross-site scripting vulnerability exploitable by users able to change build descriptions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/22/2020
The Jenkins Dashboard View Plugin vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-10396 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw that emerged from inadequate input sanitization within the plugin's build description handling mechanism. This vulnerability affected versions 2.11 and earlier, where the plugin failed to properly escape user-supplied content when displaying build descriptions in the dashboard view interface. The flaw stems from the plugin's improper handling of HTML and script tags within build description fields, creating an environment where malicious actors could inject harmful code that would execute in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting weaknesses in web applications. This classification indicates that the vulnerability exists due to insufficient output encoding or escaping of user-provided data before rendering it in web pages. The flaw operates through a classic XSS attack vector where an attacker with permissions to modify build descriptions could craft malicious payloads that would be executed when other users view the dashboard. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires minimal privileges to exploit, only needing access to modify build descriptions, which many development teams grant to developers or CI/CD operators.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it could enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive credentials, or redirect users to malicious sites. When exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of the victim's browser session, potentially leading to complete compromise of the Jenkins instance from a user perspective. The attack surface is significant since build descriptions are commonly used in continuous integration environments where multiple team members may have the ability to modify these fields, making the vulnerability exploitable by insiders or attackers who gain access to such permissions.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to Jenkins Dashboard View Plugin version 2.12 or later, which includes proper output escaping mechanisms for build descriptions. The mitigation strategy should also encompass implementing comprehensive input validation and sanitization policies for all user-supplied content within Jenkins environments. Security teams should consider implementing content security policies to further protect against XSS attacks, and regular security audits should verify that no other plugins within the Jenkins ecosystem suffer from similar output encoding deficiencies. Additionally, access controls should be reviewed to minimize the number of users who can modify build descriptions, reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation.