CVE-2019-10475 in build-metrics Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
A reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability in Jenkins build-metrics Plugin allows attackers to inject arbitrary HTML and JavaScript into web pages provided by this plugin.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/01/2024
The reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-10475 resides within the Jenkins build-metrics plugin, representing a critical security flaw that enables attackers to execute malicious code within the context of a victim's browser. This vulnerability specifically affects the plugin's handling of user-supplied input parameters, creating an avenue for attackers to inject arbitrary HTML and JavaScript code into web pages generated by the plugin. The issue manifests when the plugin fails to properly sanitize or encode user input before incorporating it into web responses, allowing malicious payloads to be reflected back to users who view the affected pages. The vulnerability impacts Jenkins installations where the build-metrics plugin is enabled, potentially affecting numerous organizations that rely on Jenkins for continuous integration and deployment processes.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows the standard reflected XSS pattern where an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing JavaScript code and sends it to victims through phishing emails, social engineering, or by embedding it in compromised web pages. When a victim clicks the malicious link, the JavaScript code becomes part of the web page response and executes in the victim's browser context with the privileges of the logged-in user. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the plugin's codebase, which fails to properly escape special characters in user-provided parameters before rendering them in HTML contexts. This flaw directly aligns with CWE-79, which defines cross-site scripting as a weakness that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web applications. The reflected nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious payload is not stored on the server but is instead reflected from the web application back to the user, making it particularly challenging to detect and prevent through traditional server-side defenses.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-10475 extends beyond simple script execution, as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive credentials, access restricted resources, or even escalate privileges within the Jenkins environment. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that Jenkins is widely used for automated build processes, making it a valuable target for adversaries seeking to compromise continuous integration pipelines. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized code deployment, data exfiltration, or the establishment of persistent backdoors within the development infrastructure. Organizations using Jenkins with the affected plugin may experience unauthorized access to build artifacts, source code repositories, and configuration data that could be leveraged for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability also poses risks to the integrity of build processes, potentially allowing attackers to inject malicious code into the build pipeline, compromising the security of deployed applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-10475 should focus on immediate remediation through plugin updates, as the Jenkins development team has released patches addressing this specific vulnerability. Organizations should prioritize updating to the latest version of the build-metrics plugin or disabling the plugin entirely until a secure version is deployed. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and input validation rules can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, though these should not be considered substitutes for proper patch management. Security teams should implement comprehensive monitoring for suspicious user activities and anomalous access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of conducting regular security assessments of third-party plugins and maintaining up-to-date inventory of all installed Jenkins plugins. Organizations should follow ATT&CK framework principles by implementing defensive measures against privilege escalation and credential access techniques that attackers might employ through XSS vulnerabilities. Regular security training for development teams regarding secure coding practices and input validation can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in custom plugins or modifications to existing systems.