CVE-2019-10449 in Fortify on Demand Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Jenkins Fortify on Demand Plugin stores credentials unencrypted in job config.xml files on the Jenkins master where they can be viewed by users with Extended Read permission, or access to the master file system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/16/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-10449 affects the Jenkins Fortify on Demand Plugin, representing a critical security flaw in how credentials are handled within the Jenkins ecosystem. This issue stems from the plugin's improper storage mechanism for sensitive authentication information, specifically targeting the Jenkins master node's configuration files. The flaw allows unauthorized access to stored credentials through multiple attack vectors, significantly undermining the security posture of organizations relying on Jenkins for continuous integration and deployment processes. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it directly violates fundamental security principles of credential protection and access control within automated build environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the plugin's configuration handling logic where authentication tokens and credentials are serialized into the job config.xml files without adequate encryption or obfuscation. When Jenkins processes jobs that utilize the Fortify on Demand plugin, the system writes credential information directly into the master node's file system in plain text format. This design flaw means that any user with Extended Read permission on the Jenkins instance or direct access to the master file system can easily extract these credentials through standard file reading operations. The vulnerability manifests as a failure to implement proper cryptographic protection mechanisms for sensitive data at rest, creating an attack surface that adversaries can exploit without requiring elevated privileges beyond what is already granted to legitimate users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple credential exposure, as it enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to Fortify on Demand environments and potentially compromise the entire software supply chain. Organizations using Jenkins for security scanning and code analysis are particularly at risk since the stolen credentials can be used to access proprietary code repositories, execute unauthorized scans, and potentially manipulate security results. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and represents a significant deviation from industry best practices for secure credential management. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal privileges to exploit, making it an attractive target for both internal and external threat actors who may already have legitimate access to Jenkins systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-10449 must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the Jenkins ecosystem. Organizations should immediately update to the patched version of the Fortify on Demand plugin where credentials are properly encrypted before storage. Additionally, administrators should implement strict access controls limiting Extended Read permissions to only trusted users and consider implementing file system monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access attempts to configuration files. The solution should incorporate principles from the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly focusing on privilege escalation and credential access tactics. Organizations should also establish regular security auditing procedures to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other Jenkins plugins, ensuring that all credential storage mechanisms implement proper encryption and access control measures as recommended by security standards and industry best practices.