CVE-2019-10450 in ElasticBox CI Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Jenkins ElasticBox CI Plugin stores credentials unencrypted in the global config.xml 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 • 10/16/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-10450 resides within the Jenkins ElasticBox CI Plugin, representing a critical security flaw that compromises the confidentiality of sensitive authentication data. This issue manifests when the plugin stores credentials in plaintext format within the global configuration file of the Jenkins master server, creating an inherent weakness that directly violates fundamental security principles. The ElasticBox CI Plugin, designed to integrate Jenkins with ElasticBox cloud infrastructure, inadvertently exposes authentication credentials through its configuration storage mechanism, presenting a significant risk to organizations relying on Jenkins for continuous integration and deployment processes.
The technical flaw stems from the plugin's improper handling of credential storage practices, where sensitive information including usernames, passwords, and API keys are written directly to the master's configuration file without any form of encryption or obfuscation. This approach directly contravenes established security guidelines and industry standards such as those outlined in CWE-312, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper data handling. The configuration file known as config.xml serves as a central repository for Jenkins master settings, making it a prime target for unauthorized access when credentials are stored in plain text format. Attackers with file system access to the Jenkins master server can immediately retrieve these unencrypted credentials, enabling them to authenticate to external systems and potentially escalate their privileges within the infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple credential exposure, as it creates multiple attack vectors for malicious actors seeking to compromise the Jenkins environment and associated systems. An attacker who gains file system access to the Jenkins master can extract not only the ElasticBox credentials but potentially other sensitive configuration data stored within the same file. This exposure enables unauthorized access to cloud resources managed by ElasticBox, allowing for potential data exfiltration, service disruption, or even lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects organizations using the ElasticBox CI Plugin in their Jenkins environments, potentially impacting thousands of systems where this plugin is deployed, making it a widespread concern that requires immediate attention from security teams.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-10450 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements within the Jenkins infrastructure. Organizations should immediately disable or remove the vulnerable ElasticBox CI Plugin from affected Jenkins instances until proper security measures are implemented. The recommended approach involves implementing proper credential management practices through Jenkins' built-in credential store mechanisms, which provide encrypted storage for sensitive information. Security teams should also implement strict file system access controls, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access the Jenkins master file system and configuration files. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of the Jenkins master server, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1078 which addresses valid accounts and legitimate credential use. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar issues in other Jenkins plugins, while also implementing monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access attempts to critical configuration files. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and conducting thorough security reviews of third-party plugins before deployment, as specified in industry standards for software development security.