CVE-2020-2251 in SoapUI Pro Functional Testing Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Jenkins SoapUI Pro Functional Testing Plugin 1.5 and earlier transmits project passwords in its configuration in plain text as part of job configuration forms, potentially resulting in their exposure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/12/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-2251 affects the Jenkins SoapUI Pro Functional Testing Plugin version 1.5 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw in how sensitive authentication data is handled within continuous integration environments. This issue specifically manifests when project passwords are transmitted as part of job configuration forms, creating an avenue for unauthorized disclosure of credentials. The plugin's failure to encrypt or obfuscate password fields during configuration processes exposes these credentials to potential interception and exploitation by malicious actors who may have access to the Jenkins server or network traffic.
The technical implementation flaw stems from the plugin's improper handling of authentication credentials within the Jenkins job configuration interface. When administrators configure SoapUI Pro test projects within Jenkins, the plugin serializes password values directly into the job configuration XML without applying any form of encryption or encoding. This plain text transmission occurs both during the initial configuration process and when the configuration data is stored within Jenkins' internal database. The vulnerability directly relates to CWE-312, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper data handling, and more specifically aligns with CWE-522 which deals with insufficiently protected credentials.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations relying on Jenkins for automated testing workflows. Attackers who gain access to Jenkins through various vectors such as network reconnaissance, credential compromise, or lateral movement can exploit this weakness to extract project passwords from job configurations. The exposure of these credentials could enable unauthorized access to target applications, databases, or systems that the SoapUI tests are designed to validate. This vulnerability particularly impacts organizations using Jenkins in enterprise environments where multiple projects and teams share test configurations, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges and move laterally across the network infrastructure.
The attack surface for this vulnerability extends beyond direct credential theft to include potential privilege escalation and data exfiltration scenarios. Adversaries could leverage exposed passwords to authenticate to target systems, potentially gaining access to sensitive data or systems that are not directly connected to Jenkins. This risk is amplified in environments where Jenkins serves as a central hub for automated testing and deployment processes, as the compromised credentials could provide access to production environments or sensitive development resources. The vulnerability also intersects with ATT&CK technique T1555.003, which covers credentials from password stores, and T1078.004, which addresses valid accounts used for lateral movement.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to the patched version of the Jenkins SoapUI Pro Functional Testing Plugin, which addresses the plain text transmission issue through proper credential encryption. System administrators should also conduct comprehensive audits of existing Jenkins configurations to identify and remediate any instances where passwords may have been exposed through this vulnerability. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in job configuration data transmission, and access controls should be strengthened to limit who can modify job configurations. Additionally, organizations should implement credential management best practices including regular credential rotation, use of Jenkins credential stores, and implementation of least privilege access controls for Jenkins administrators and users. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and secure credential handling practices in CI/CD environments, where automation tools often process sensitive data without adequate security protections.