CVE-2019-16544 in QMetry for JIRA Test Management Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Jenkins QMetry for JIRA - Test Management Plugin 1.12 and earlier 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 • 11/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-16544 affects the Jenkins QMetry for JIRA - Test Management Plugin version 1.12 and earlier, presenting a critical security flaw in how credentials are stored within the Jenkins environment. This issue stems from the plugin's failure to implement proper encryption mechanisms when storing authentication credentials in the job configuration files, creating a significant exposure point within the continuous integration and delivery pipeline.
The technical flaw manifests in the plugin's handling of sensitive information by writing credentials directly to the job config.xml files without any form of encryption or obfuscation. When Jenkins processes jobs that utilize QMetry for JIRA integration, the plugin persists authentication tokens, usernames, and passwords in plain text format within the master node's configuration files. This design choice directly violates security best practices and creates an attack surface where unauthorized individuals can gain access to production credentials simply by reading these configuration files.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond the immediate exposure of authentication credentials to encompass broader security implications for the entire Jenkins infrastructure. Users with Extended Read permission, which is often granted to developers and team members who need to view build results and job configurations, can directly access the unencrypted credentials stored in these files. Additionally, any individual with direct file system access to the Jenkins master node can retrieve these sensitive credentials, potentially enabling unauthorized access to connected JIRA instances, automated testing environments, and other integrated systems that rely on these credentials for operation.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and represents a significant weakness in Jenkins plugin security practices. The flaw enables potential attackers to leverage the principle of least privilege violations, where individuals with minimal access permissions can escalate their capabilities through credential theft. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1552.001 (Unsecured Credentials) and T1078.004 (Valid Accounts) in the enterprise attack framework, as it provides direct access to legitimate user credentials without requiring additional exploitation techniques.
The security implications extend to potential supply chain attacks where stolen credentials could be used to manipulate test results, access sensitive project data, or compromise the integrity of automated testing processes. Organizations relying on QMetry for JIRA integration may find their testing environments compromised, leading to potential data breaches, unauthorized code deployments, and disruption of development workflows. The vulnerability also affects compliance requirements for organizations subject to security standards such as SOC 2, ISO 27001, and GDPR, where proper credential handling and encryption are mandatory requirements.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate upgrading to plugin versions 1.13 or later where encryption mechanisms have been implemented, followed by thorough auditing of existing configuration files to identify and remove any exposed credentials. Organizations should also implement strict access controls, regularly rotate credentials, and monitor file system access to the Jenkins master node. The implementation of proper credential management solutions such as Jenkins Credentials Binding Plugin or integration with external secret management systems would provide additional layers of protection against similar vulnerabilities in the future.