CVE-2019-10429 in GitLab Logo Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Jenkins GitLab Logo 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 vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-10429 affects the Jenkins GitLab Logo Plugin, presenting a critical security flaw in how credentials are stored and managed within the Jenkins environment. This issue arises from the plugin's improper handling of sensitive authentication information, specifically storing credentials in plain text format within the global configuration file. The affected component resides on the Jenkins master server, making it accessible to any user who gains file system access to the master node. This represents a fundamental failure in secure credential management practices and exposes organizations to significant risk of credential compromise.
The technical flaw stems from the plugin's design decision to persist authentication tokens and other sensitive data in an unencrypted format within Jenkins' configuration files. When the plugin processes GitLab integration requests, it stores these credentials in the global configuration file without implementing any form of encryption or obfuscation. This approach directly violates established security principles for credential storage and creates an attack surface where unauthorized individuals with file system privileges can directly read and extract these sensitive authentication details. The vulnerability is classified as a weakness in credential storage mechanisms and aligns with CWE-312, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper handling of credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables attackers with file system access to gain unauthorized access to GitLab repositories and associated resources. This compromise can lead to complete takeover of CI/CD pipelines, unauthorized code deployments, and potential exfiltration of sensitive source code and build artifacts. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal privileges to exploit, typically just file system access to the Jenkins master node, which may be accessible to developers or system administrators who should not have broad access to all credentials. This vulnerability essentially undermines the security boundaries established within the Jenkins environment and can result in cascading security incidents throughout the software development lifecycle.
Organizations should immediately implement multiple layers of mitigation to address this vulnerability. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to a patched version of the GitLab Logo Plugin where credentials are properly encrypted before storage. System administrators should also implement strict file system access controls, ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to the Jenkins master configuration files. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege access controls, regular security audits, and monitoring for unauthorized file system access attempts can help detect potential exploitation attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to technique T1552.001, which covers "Unsecured Credentials" and T1078.004, which addresses "Valid Accounts: Cloud Accounts," as the compromised credentials could be used to access cloud-based GitLab resources. Organizations should also consider implementing credential management solutions that integrate with Jenkins to provide centralized, secure credential storage and access control mechanisms, thereby reducing the attack surface and improving overall security posture.