CVE-2019-10453 in Delphix Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Jenkins Delphix 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 • 10/16/2019
The Jenkins Delphix Plugin vulnerability CVE-2019-10453 represents a critical security flaw in how credential storage is handled within the Jenkins continuous integration and delivery platform. This issue specifically affects the Delphix plugin which integrates Jenkins with Delphix data virtualization and masking capabilities. The vulnerability stems from improper credential handling practices where sensitive authentication information is stored in plain text format within the Jenkins master's global configuration file, creating an exploitable weakness that directly violates fundamental security principles of credential protection.
The technical implementation flaw occurs at the configuration persistence layer where the plugin fails to encrypt or obfuscate authentication credentials before writing them to disk. When Jenkins processes the plugin configuration, it serializes credential data into the global configuration file without applying any encryption mechanisms, leaving usernames, passwords, and other authentication tokens in readable format. This unencrypted storage creates a persistent security risk where any user with file system access to the Jenkins master node can directly read and extract these credentials, effectively bypassing all network-level security controls and authentication mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it fundamentally undermines the security model of the Jenkins environment. Attackers who gain file system access to the Jenkins master can immediately extract all stored credentials and potentially escalate their privileges to access downstream systems, databases, and other sensitive resources that rely on these authentication tokens. The vulnerability affects organizations using Jenkins with the Delphix plugin, particularly those in regulated environments where credential protection is mandated by compliance frameworks such as pci dss, hipaa, and soc 2. This weakness also aligns with attack patterns described in the mitre att&ck framework under credential access techniques, specifically targeting credential dumping and privilege escalation methods.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including restricting file system access to Jenkins master nodes, implementing proper access controls and least privilege principles, and ensuring that the Jenkins master operates in secure environments with restricted physical and network access. The recommended solution involves upgrading to a patched version of the Delphix plugin where credentials are properly encrypted before storage, or alternatively implementing additional security controls such as file system encryption, regular credential rotation, and monitoring for unauthorized file system access attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to security standards such as those defined in the common weakness enumeration (cwe) catalog under cwe-312, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper data handling. Organizations should also consider implementing automated security scanning tools to identify similar credential storage vulnerabilities across their Jenkins plugin ecosystem and establish comprehensive security policies for managing sensitive configuration data in continuous integration environments.