CVE-2020-2236 in Visualizer Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Jenkins Yet Another Build Visualizer Plugin 1.11 and earlier does not escape tooltip content, resulting in a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability exploitable by users with Run/Update permission.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/08/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-2236 affects the Jenkins Yet Another Build Visualizer Plugin version 1.11 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that enables stored cross-site scripting attacks. This issue arises from inadequate input sanitization within the plugin's tooltip functionality, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject persistent XSS payloads into the Jenkins environment. The vulnerability specifically targets users who possess Run/Update permissions, which is particularly concerning as these permissions are commonly granted to developers and build operators within continuous integration pipelines. The stored nature of this XSS vulnerability means that malicious scripts are permanently embedded within the application's data storage rather than existing only during a single request, making the attack more persistent and potentially more damaging.
The technical implementation flaw stems from the plugin's failure to properly escape or sanitize user-supplied content that appears in tooltip elements. When users create or modify build visualizer configurations, they can input tooltip text that gets rendered directly into the web interface without appropriate HTML encoding or sanitization. This oversight creates a classic stored XSS vector where malicious JavaScript code can be executed in the context of other users' browser sessions when they view the affected tooltips. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal privileges to exploit, as users with only Run/Update permissions can manipulate the tooltip content, which is typically considered a benign administrative function. The flaw directly violates security principles outlined in CWE-79, which addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, and demonstrates poor input validation practices that should be prevented through proper output encoding mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities within the Jenkins environment. Once exploited, the stored XSS payload can steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, inject additional malware, or even escalate privileges within the Jenkins instance. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on build visualization tools for monitoring their CI/CD pipelines, potentially compromising the integrity of their entire software development lifecycle. Attackers could use this vulnerability to monitor sensitive build information, manipulate build results, or gain unauthorized access to other systems that Jenkins might interface with through build triggers or notifications. The risk is amplified because Jenkins is often used in enterprise environments where it serves as a central hub for automated builds and deployments, making it a prime target for attackers seeking persistent access to development infrastructure.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to the patched version of the Yet Another Build Visualizer Plugin to remediate this vulnerability, as the fix typically involves implementing proper HTML escaping for tooltip content and other user-input elements. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive audits of all Jenkins plugins to identify similar vulnerabilities that may exist in other third-party components. The mitigation strategy should include implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit the execution of inline scripts, regular security scanning of Jenkins instances, and monitoring for unusual tooltip modifications or user activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should review and restrict user permissions to minimize the attack surface, ensuring that only trusted administrators have the ability to modify build visualization elements. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input sanitization in web applications and the need for regular security assessments of integrated systems. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, as the XSS payload could be used to execute malicious commands, and T1566 for credential access through phishing or malicious content delivery. Organizations should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, given that the vulnerability specifically affects the web interface components of Jenkins.