CVE-2020-2153 in Backlog Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Jenkins Backlog Plugin 2.4 and earlier transmits configured credentials in plain text as part of job configuration forms, potentially resulting in their exposure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/10/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-2153 affects the Jenkins Backlog Plugin version 2.4 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw in how the plugin handles authentication credentials within job configuration interfaces. This issue stems from the plugin's improper handling of sensitive information during the configuration process, where credentials are transmitted without adequate encryption or protection mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically impacts the transmission of configured credentials as part of job configuration forms, creating a potential exposure vector for unauthorized parties who may intercept this data during network communication.
The technical flaw manifests in the plugin's failure to implement proper secure transmission protocols for sensitive data elements within the Jenkins job configuration framework. When administrators configure jobs that require authentication credentials, these credentials are being sent in plain text format across network connections rather than being encrypted or obfuscated. This behavior violates fundamental security principles for credential handling and represents a direct violation of secure coding practices. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-312 (Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information) which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive data through unencrypted communication channels. The flaw essentially allows for credential interception during the configuration process, potentially enabling attackers to capture authentication tokens, usernames, passwords, or other sensitive authentication data that administrators are entering into the plugin's configuration forms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it creates a persistent security risk for Jenkins environments that utilize the affected plugin. Attackers who can intercept network traffic between Jenkins administrators and the server can capture the transmitted credentials and subsequently gain unauthorized access to systems or services that require authentication. This risk is particularly severe in environments where Jenkins is used to orchestrate deployment processes or interact with external systems requiring authentication. The vulnerability affects both the configuration phase and any subsequent operations that might rely on the compromised credentials, potentially enabling attackers to escalate their privileges and access additional system resources. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the ATT&CK matrix under credential access and defense evasion tactics, where attackers can leverage such exposures to maintain persistent access to target environments.
Organizations utilizing Jenkins with the affected Backlog Plugin version face significant exposure risks that require immediate remediation. The primary mitigation strategy involves upgrading to a patched version of the Jenkins Backlog Plugin where the credential transmission issue has been resolved through proper encryption or secure handling mechanisms. Administrators should also implement additional network security controls such as encrypted communication channels, network segmentation, and monitoring for unusual credential-related traffic patterns. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper credential handling in CI/CD environments where automation tools frequently interact with external systems requiring authentication. Security teams should conduct comprehensive audits of all Jenkins plugins to identify similar vulnerabilities and ensure that all credential transmission occurs through secure channels. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to detect and remediate similar issues across the Jenkins ecosystem, particularly focusing on plugins that handle sensitive data during configuration processes.