CVE-2020-2143 in Logstash Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Jenkins Logstash Plugin 2.3.1 and earlier transmits configured credentials in plain text as part of its global Jenkins configuration form, potentially resulting in their exposure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/10/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-2143 affects the Jenkins Logstash Plugin version 2.3.1 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw in how credentials are handled within the Jenkins continuous integration and delivery platform. This issue manifests when administrators configure the plugin through Jenkins' global configuration interface, where sensitive authentication details are transmitted without proper encryption mechanisms. The flaw directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity of authentication credentials used for Logstash server connections, potentially exposing these credentials to unauthorized parties who may intercept network traffic.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to employ secure transmission protocols for credential data within Jenkins' web-based configuration forms. When administrators enter Logstash server credentials through the Jenkins interface, the plugin serializes and transmits these details in plaintext format rather than utilizing encrypted communication channels. This design flaw creates an attack surface where network sniffing tools or man-in-the-middle adversaries can capture and extract authentication credentials during the configuration process. The vulnerability specifically affects the global configuration form processing within Jenkins, making it a systemic issue rather than an isolated component failure.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-2143 extends beyond simple credential exposure, as compromised authentication details can lead to full administrative access to Logstash server infrastructure and potentially broader system compromise. Attackers who intercept these plaintext credentials could gain unauthorized access to log aggregation systems, potentially leading to data exfiltration, log manipulation, or disruption of monitoring services. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where Jenkins serves as a central automation platform, as it could enable attackers to establish persistent access to critical infrastructure monitoring and logging capabilities.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to Jenkins Logstash Plugin version 2.3.2 or later, which implements proper credential encryption during transmission. Additionally, network administrators should implement mandatory encryption policies for all Jenkins communication channels using TLS 1.2 or higher protocols. Security teams should conduct comprehensive audits of Jenkins configurations to identify any instances where plaintext credentials may have been transmitted or stored. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and CWE-319 (Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information) categories, and represents a technique that could be categorized under ATT&CK tactic TA0006 (Credential Access) with sub-technique T1556.100 (Phishing for Credentials) or T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) if attackers exploit network interception capabilities to capture the transmitted credentials.
The remediation process requires immediate patch deployment across all Jenkins instances utilizing the affected Logstash plugin, followed by credential rotation for any systems where the vulnerability may have been exploited. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and monitoring to detect potential credential interception attempts. Regular security assessments should verify that all Jenkins plugins properly implement secure credential handling practices, and that no other components within the Jenkins ecosystem transmit sensitive information in plaintext format. This vulnerability highlights the importance of secure configuration management practices and the necessity of implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect authentication credentials throughout their entire lifecycle within automated systems.