CVE-2020-2128 in ECX Copy Data Management Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Jenkins ECX Copy Data Management Plugin 1.9 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-2020-2128 affects the Jenkins ECX Copy Data Management Plugin version 1.9 and earlier, presenting a significant security risk through improper credential handling within the Jenkins ecosystem. This issue resides within the plugin's configuration storage mechanism where sensitive authentication information is persistently stored in plaintext within job configuration files on the Jenkins master server. The vulnerability manifests due to the plugin's failure to implement adequate encryption or obfuscation techniques for password storage, creating an attack surface that can be exploited by unauthorized users with minimal privileges.
The technical flaw stems from the plugin's insecure storage practices that violate fundamental security principles for credential management. When administrators configure jobs using the ECX Copy Data Management plugin, the system writes authentication credentials directly to the job config.xml file without any form of encryption or encoding. This plaintext storage creates a persistent exposure where any user with Extended Read permission on the Jenkins master or direct access to the file system can extract and read these passwords. The vulnerability specifically impacts the confidentiality aspect of the CIA triad, as it allows unauthorized information disclosure without requiring elevated privileges beyond what is already granted through Extended Read permissions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables potential attackers to escalate their privileges within the Jenkins environment and gain access to downstream systems. An attacker with Extended Read permission can extract credentials from job configurations and use them to authenticate to external systems managed by the ECX plugin, potentially compromising data integrity and availability. This vulnerability also creates a persistent threat vector since the credentials remain accessible indefinitely until manually removed or the plugin is updated. The risk is particularly severe in environments where Jenkins serves as a central automation hub, as compromised credentials could provide access to critical infrastructure and sensitive data repositories.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to Jenkins ECX Copy Data Management Plugin version 1.10 or later, which addresses this vulnerability through proper credential encryption. System administrators must also conduct comprehensive audits of existing job configurations to identify and remove any exposed credentials, followed by reconfiguration using secure authentication methods. The mitigation strategy should include implementing principle of least privilege access controls and regular security scanning of Jenkins configurations to detect similar insecure storage practices. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-312 (Sensitive Data Exposure) and represents a clear violation of NIST SP 800-53 security controls related to access control and data protection. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1552.001 (Unsecured Credentials) and T1078 (Valid Accounts), as it enables adversaries to obtain legitimate credentials through insecure storage practices rather than through direct exploitation of authentication mechanisms. The remediation process should also include implementing Jenkins security best practices such as credential binding, secure configuration management, and regular security assessments to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other plugins or system components.