CVE-2020-2114 in S3 publisher Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Jenkins S3 publisher Plugin 0.11.4 and earlier transmits configured credentials in plain text as part of the global Jenkins configuration form, potentially resulting in their exposure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/13/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-2114 affects the Jenkins S3 publisher plugin version 0.11.4 and earlier, presenting a critical security flaw in how authentication credentials are handled within the Jenkins continuous integration platform. This issue specifically manifests when administrators configure S3 storage credentials through the global Jenkins configuration interface, where the plugin fails to implement proper encryption or obfuscation mechanisms for sensitive authentication data. The flaw represents a fundamental weakness in the plugin's credential management architecture, creating an attack surface that could be exploited by malicious actors with access to the Jenkins configuration interface or system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to encrypt or mask credentials during transmission and storage within Jenkins configuration files. When administrators enter their AWS access keys, secret keys, or other authentication tokens into the S3 publisher plugin configuration form, these credentials are transmitted in plaintext format across network connections and stored in the Jenkins configuration files without any form of encryption or hashing. This design flaw directly violates established security principles for credential handling and creates a persistent exposure risk that extends beyond the initial configuration phase. The vulnerability can be categorized under CWE-312, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper handling of credentials, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552.001, which covers the acquisition of credentials through unsecured configuration files.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple credential exposure, as it provides attackers with direct access to S3 storage resources that are typically protected by strong authentication mechanisms. When credentials are transmitted in plaintext, they become vulnerable to interception through network sniffing attacks, man-in-the-middle attacks, or unauthorized access to system files where the configuration data is stored. This exposure enables attackers to perform unauthorized operations against S3 buckets, including data exfiltration, modification of stored objects, or even deletion of critical data. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on Jenkins for automated deployment processes, where S3 integration is commonly used for artifact storage, backup operations, or deployment targets. The risk is particularly severe in environments where Jenkins servers are accessible to multiple users or where network security controls are insufficient to prevent credential interception.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability, beginning with the mandatory upgrade of the S3 publisher plugin to version 0.11.5 or later, which includes proper credential encryption mechanisms. System administrators must also conduct comprehensive audits of existing Jenkins configurations to identify and remove any exposed credentials that may have been previously stored in plaintext format. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit who can access Jenkins configuration interfaces, and organizations should consider implementing additional monitoring for unauthorized configuration changes. The remediation process should include credential rotation for any S3 accounts that may have been compromised through this vulnerability, along with enhanced security monitoring to detect potential unauthorized access attempts. Security teams should also review their overall credential management policies and ensure that all sensitive data within Jenkins configurations is properly encrypted and protected through established security frameworks and compliance standards.