CVE-2020-2157 in Skytap Cloud CI Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Jenkins Skytap Cloud CI Plugin 2.07 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-2020-2157 affects the Jenkins Skytap Cloud CI Plugin version 2.07 and earlier, presenting a significant security risk through insecure credential transmission. This issue manifests when users configure job settings within the Jenkins environment, specifically when entering credentials for Skytap Cloud integration. The plugin fails to implement proper encryption or secure transmission mechanisms for sensitive authentication data, leaving credentials exposed during the configuration process. The flaw represents a critical weakness in the plugin's security architecture, as it directly contradicts established security best practices for handling sensitive information in automated build environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to encrypt or obfuscate credential data when it is submitted through web forms during job configuration. When administrators or developers enter usernames, passwords, or API keys into the Skytap Cloud plugin configuration interface, these credentials are transmitted in plain text format over the network. This insecure transmission method creates multiple attack vectors, including man-in-the-middle attacks, network sniffing operations, and potential exposure in web server logs or browser history. The vulnerability specifically targets the communication channel between the Jenkins server and the Skytap Cloud service, where authentication tokens and access credentials flow without adequate protection mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it fundamentally compromises the security posture of CI/CD environments that rely on Jenkins for automated build processes. Attackers who can intercept network traffic or gain access to the Jenkins server can extract authentication credentials for Skytap Cloud resources, potentially enabling unauthorized access to cloud infrastructure, data exfiltration, and privilege escalation within the cloud environment. This exposure directly affects the integrity of the continuous integration pipeline and can lead to unauthorized deployments, code manipulation, and broader system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Jenkins serves as a central hub for multiple development teams and automated workflows.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including upgrading to Jenkins Skytap Cloud CI Plugin version 2.08 or later, which addresses this vulnerability through secure credential handling mechanisms. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual traffic patterns that might indicate credential interception attempts. The implementation of secure communication protocols including tls 1.3 and proper certificate validation should be enforced across all Jenkins server communications. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing additional authentication layers and credential management solutions such as Jenkins credentials binding or external secret management systems. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-312 (Sensitive Data Exposure) and represents a clear violation of security principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten, specifically targeting the exposure of sensitive information through insecure data transmission. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this issue under T1552 (Unsecured Credentials) and T1046 (Network Service Scanning) as it enables adversaries to obtain authentication data through network-based reconnaissance and interception activities.