CVE-2020-2124 in Dynamic Extended Choice Parameter Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Jenkins Dynamic Extended Choice Parameter Plugin 1.0.1 and earlier stores a password unencrypted in job config.xml files on the Jenkins master where it 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 • 02/13/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-2124 affects the Jenkins Dynamic Extended Choice Parameter Plugin version 1.0.1 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw in how sensitive information is handled within the Jenkins continuous integration and delivery platform. This issue stems from the plugin's improper handling of password credentials during job configuration storage, creating a significant risk for organizations relying on Jenkins for automated build processes and deployment workflows.
The technical flaw manifests when the plugin stores password values in plain text format within the job configuration files located on the Jenkins master server. Specifically, when users configure jobs that utilize dynamic extended choice parameters containing passwords, these credentials are persisted in the config.xml file without any encryption or obfuscation measures. This design decision directly violates established security principles for credential management and creates an exploitable weakness in the system's access control mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it enables unauthorized access to sensitive information through multiple attack vectors. Users with Extended Read permission on the Jenkins instance can directly access the job configuration files and extract stored passwords, while attackers with access to the master file system can similarly retrieve these unencrypted credentials. This exposure compromises the integrity of automated processes that depend on these credentials for authentication with external systems, databases, or cloud services, potentially leading to unauthorized access to production environments and data breaches.
Organizations utilizing affected Jenkins versions face significant security risks, as this vulnerability directly contradicts industry standards such as those outlined in CWE-522 which addresses insufficiently protected credentials, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552.2 for unsecured credentials in configuration files. The vulnerability also demonstrates poor adherence to the principle of least privilege, as it allows information disclosure to users who should only have read access to job configurations. Security practitioners should note that this issue affects the broader Jenkins ecosystem and requires immediate attention to prevent potential compromise of automated deployment pipelines that rely on stored credentials for system integration.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate upgrade to Jenkins Dynamic Extended Choice Parameter Plugin version 1.0.2 or later, which addresses this specific vulnerability through proper credential encryption. Organizations should also implement additional security controls such as restricting file system access to Jenkins master servers, implementing strict access controls for Extended Read permissions, and regularly auditing job configurations for sensitive information. The remediation process must include thorough credential rotation for any systems where affected jobs have been executed, as well as monitoring for unauthorized access attempts to Jenkins configuration files. Security teams should also consider implementing automated scanning tools to identify and flag potential credential exposure in Jenkins configurations, ensuring compliance with security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 controls related to information security management.