CVE-2020-2201 in Sonargraph Integration Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Jenkins Sonargraph Integration Plugin 3.0.0 and earlier does not escape the file path for the Log file field form validation, resulting in a stored cross-site scripting vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/28/2020
The Jenkins Sonargraph Integration Plugin vulnerability CVE-2020-2201 represents a critical security flaw in version 3.0.0 and earlier releases that enables stored cross-site scripting attacks through improper input validation. This vulnerability specifically affects the Log file field form validation mechanism within the plugin's user interface, where file paths are not adequately escaped before being processed and stored. The issue arises from insufficient sanitization of user-provided input in the plugin's configuration forms, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject malicious scripts that persist in the application's database or configuration files.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to apply proper output escaping or input validation when handling file path parameters submitted through the web interface. When administrators or users configure the Sonargraph plugin settings, they can specify log file paths that are subsequently stored in the Jenkins configuration system. The absence of proper sanitization means that malicious actors can inject HTML or JavaScript code into these file path fields, which then gets executed whenever the stored configuration is rendered in the web interface. This stored XSS vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of other users who view the affected plugin configuration pages, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or further exploitation of the Jenkins instance.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges within the Jenkins environment and compromise the entire build infrastructure. Organizations using affected versions of the Sonargraph plugin face significant risk since Jenkins serves as a central automation hub for many development workflows, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking persistent access to development environments. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that once an attacker successfully injects malicious code, it remains active until manually removed from the configuration, potentially providing long-term access to the system. This vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers can leverage the stored XSS to execute arbitrary commands within the Jenkins environment.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the Sonargraph plugin to version 3.1.0 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms. Organizations should also implement additional security measures such as restricting administrative access to Jenkins, implementing content security policies, and conducting regular security audits of plugin installations. Network segmentation and monitoring of Jenkins traffic can help detect exploitation attempts, while regular vulnerability scanning should include checks for outdated plugin versions. The remediation process must ensure that all stored malicious payloads are removed from existing configurations and that proper input validation is enforced across all user-facing forms within the Jenkins ecosystem. Security teams should also consider implementing automated patch management processes to prevent similar vulnerabilities from accumulating in the environment over time.