CVE-2020-2178 in Parasoft Findings Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Jenkins Parasoft Findings Plugin 10.4.3 and earlier does not configure its XML parser to prevent XML external entity (XXE) attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/17/2020
The Jenkins Parasoft Findings Plugin vulnerability represents a critical security flaw that exposes systems to XML external entity attacks through improper XML parser configuration. This vulnerability affects versions 10.4.3 and earlier of the Parasoft Findings Plugin for Jenkins, a widely used continuous integration and delivery platform that integrates software quality analysis tools. The issue stems from the plugin's failure to properly restrict XML parsing behavior, creating an attack surface that can be exploited by malicious actors to execute unauthorized operations within the Jenkins environment.
The technical flaw manifests in the plugin's XML parser implementation which does not disable external entity resolution by default. This configuration oversight allows attackers to craft malicious XML input that can trigger XXE processing when the plugin parses reports or configuration data. The vulnerability specifically affects the plugin's handling of XML data from Parasoft software analysis tools, which are commonly integrated into Jenkins pipelines for automated code quality assessment. When the plugin processes such XML data, it fails to enforce proper parser security settings that would prevent resolution of external entities, potentially enabling attackers to access local files, perform server-side request forgery attacks, or even execute arbitrary code on the Jenkins server.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges within the Jenkins environment and potentially compromise the entire continuous integration infrastructure. Attackers can leverage XXE vulnerabilities to access sensitive configuration files, credentials stored within the Jenkins system, or even gain access to underlying network resources that the Jenkins server can reach. This represents a significant risk in enterprise environments where Jenkins serves as a central hub for automated build and deployment processes, potentially allowing attackers to disrupt development workflows or access production systems. The vulnerability affects not only the immediate Jenkins instance but can also impact the broader software supply chain by enabling attackers to compromise build environments that may be used to generate trusted software artifacts.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability involve updating the Parasoft Findings Plugin to version 10.4.4 or later, which includes proper XML parser configuration to prevent external entity resolution. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures such as network segmentation to limit access to Jenkins servers, regular security scanning of plugins and dependencies, and monitoring for suspicious XML processing activities. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-611, which addresses improper restriction of XML external entity reference, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through XML external entity processing. System administrators should conduct comprehensive inventory audits to identify all instances of the vulnerable plugin across their Jenkins infrastructure and ensure proper patch management protocols are in place to prevent similar issues in other plugins and applications.