CVE-2020-2129 in Eagle Tester Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Jenkins Eagle Tester Plugin 1.0.9 and earlier stores a password unencrypted in its global configuration file on the Jenkins master where it can be viewed by users with access to the master file system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/13/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-2129 affects the Jenkins Eagle Tester Plugin version 1.0.9 and earlier, presenting a critical security flaw in how sensitive authentication data is handled within the Jenkins ecosystem. This issue stems from the plugin's improper storage mechanism for passwords, which are written to the Jenkins master's configuration file in plain text format rather than being encrypted or obfuscated. The vulnerability exists at the configuration management level where administrative credentials and authentication tokens are persisted without adequate cryptographic protection, creating a significant risk for organizations relying on Jenkins for continuous integration and deployment processes.
The technical implementation flaw manifests when the plugin saves user credentials in the global configuration file, typically located within the Jenkins master's file system hierarchy. This unencrypted storage approach violates fundamental security principles for credential management and directly exposes sensitive authentication information to any entity with file system access to the Jenkins master node. The vulnerability can be classified under CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and represents a failure in the principle of least privilege, as it allows unauthorized access to authentication credentials through file system level permissions rather than requiring proper authentication mechanisms. Attackers with access to the Jenkins master file system can directly read these unencrypted passwords, potentially gaining access to downstream systems, repositories, and services that rely on the credentials stored within the plugin configuration.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it enables attackers to escalate their privileges within the Jenkins environment and potentially compromise the entire CI/CD pipeline. Organizations using the affected plugin versions face significant risk of unauthorized access to build servers, source code repositories, and deployment targets that may be protected by the compromised credentials. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity aspects of the Jenkins security model, as it allows for unauthorized data access and potential modification of build processes. This issue particularly impacts enterprises that follow the principle of separation of duties, where file system access is granted based on specific roles rather than comprehensive administrative access. The vulnerability also creates challenges for compliance with security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53, which requires the protection of sensitive information through encryption and access controls.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-2129 should prioritize immediate plugin version updates to 1.0.10 or later, which address the unencrypted password storage issue through proper encryption mechanisms. Organizations should implement additional security controls including mandatory access controls, regular file system audits, and principle of least privilege enforcement for Jenkins master access. The remediation process should include immediate credential rotation for any compromised accounts and implementation of file system monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing Jenkins security best practices such as enabling encryption for all stored credentials, using Jenkins' built-in credential management systems, and ensuring that only authorized personnel have direct file system access to the Jenkins master. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure configuration management practices and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552.001 (Credentials in Files) which emphasizes the need for proper credential handling and storage mechanisms in enterprise security environments.