CVE-2019-10424 in elOyente Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Jenkins elOyente Plugin stores credentials unencrypted in its global configuration file on the Jenkins master where they can be viewed by users with access to the master file system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/08/2020
The Jenkins elOyente Plugin vulnerability represents a critical security flaw that undermines the fundamental principles of credential protection within continuous integration environments. This issue affects the plugin's handling of sensitive authentication data, creating a persistent risk that can be exploited by malicious actors with access to the Jenkins master server's file system. The vulnerability stems from the plugin's improper storage mechanism, which fails to implement adequate encryption or obfuscation techniques for credentials that are essential for system security and access control.
The technical implementation flaw resides in the plugin's global configuration file where user credentials are persisted without any form of encryption or cryptographic protection. This unencrypted storage approach directly violates established security best practices and industry standards such as those outlined in CWE-312, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper data handling. The vulnerability creates a direct attack surface where any user with file system access to the Jenkins master can easily extract and utilize these credentials for unauthorized access to external systems and services that rely on the stored authentication information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables attackers to escalate their privileges and maintain persistent access to the Jenkins environment. Security analysts have noted that this weakness aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552.001, which describes the exploitation of credentials stored in configuration files. The compromised credentials can be used to access external resources, potentially leading to broader network infiltration and data exfiltration. Organizations using Jenkins with this plugin are particularly vulnerable during security audits and penetration testing exercises where file system access is typically granted to authorized personnel, creating a significant risk that can be exploited by both internal and external threat actors.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action to address the root cause of unencrypted credential storage. System administrators should implement the latest plugin updates from the Jenkins community that properly encrypt credentials before storage, ensuring compliance with security standards such as those recommended in NIST SP 800-57 for cryptographic key management. Organizations must also establish strict file system access controls and implement principle of least privilege configurations to limit who can access the Jenkins master server files. Additionally, security teams should conduct regular audits of credential storage mechanisms and implement monitoring solutions that can detect unauthorized access attempts to sensitive configuration files, thereby reducing the attack surface and preventing exploitation of this specific vulnerability while maintaining operational continuity.