CVE-2020-2243 in Cadence vManager Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Jenkins Cadence vManager Plugin 3.0.4 and earlier does not escape build descriptions in tooltips, resulting in a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability exploitable by attackers with Run/Update permission.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/12/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-2243 affects the Jenkins Cadence vManager Plugin version 3.0.4 and earlier, presenting a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw that undermines the security posture of Jenkins environments. This issue arises from inadequate input sanitization within the plugin's tooltip functionality, where build descriptions are not properly escaped before being rendered in web interfaces. The vulnerability specifically targets the tooltip display mechanism that presents build information to users, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code that executes within the context of other users' browsers. The flaw requires only minimal privileges, as attackers with Run/Update permissions can exploit it, making it particularly dangerous in environments where such permissions are granted to less trusted users or automated processes.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the storage and subsequent retrieval of malicious payloads within build descriptions that are then displayed in tooltips. When users interact with these tooltips, the unescaped JavaScript code executes in their browsers, potentially enabling attackers to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of victims, or redirect users to malicious sites. This stored XSS vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be leveraged to establish persistent attack vectors within Jenkins environments. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as weaknesses in input validation and output encoding, and it maps to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for the initial access phase through malicious web content.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-2243 extends beyond immediate code execution capabilities, as it can facilitate broader security breaches within Jenkins infrastructure. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to build artifacts, manipulate job configurations, or escalate privileges within the Jenkins ecosystem. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious payloads persist until manually removed, allowing attackers to maintain access over extended periods. Organizations using Jenkins with the affected plugin version face significant risk of data compromise, service disruption, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The vulnerability particularly affects continuous integration and deployment pipelines where build descriptions are frequently populated with user-generated content, making it a prime target for exploitation in development environments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve immediate remediation through plugin version updates to 3.0.5 or later, which contain proper input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation for all user-supplied data within Jenkins, particularly in fields that support rich text or HTML content. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of all Jenkins plugins to identify similar issues and establish automated patch management processes. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers, disabling unnecessary plugin features, and restricting user permissions to the minimum required levels can significantly reduce the attack surface. Regular security audits and penetration testing of Jenkins environments, combined with proper security training for developers and administrators, will help prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the future. The remediation process should also include monitoring for potential exploitation attempts and establishing incident response procedures specifically tailored to Jenkins security incidents.