CVE-2020-2256 in Pipeline Maven Integration Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Jenkins Pipeline Maven Integration Plugin 3.9.2 and earlier does not escape the upstream job's display name shown as part of a build cause, resulting in a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability exploitable by attackers with Job/Configure permission.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/16/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-2256 affects the Jenkins Pipeline Maven Integration Plugin version 3.9.2 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that enables stored cross-site scripting attacks. This vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's handling of upstream job display names within build cause information, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject persistent XSS payloads. The flaw exists because the plugin fails to properly escape or sanitize user-controllable input from upstream job display names before rendering them in web interfaces, allowing attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the plugin's web rendering components. When Jenkins processes build causes for pipeline jobs, it incorporates display names from upstream jobs into the user interface without proper HTML escaping mechanisms. This creates a persistent XSS vector where an attacker with Job/Configure permissions can craft a malicious display name that, when rendered in the build cause information, executes arbitrary JavaScript code in victims' browsers. The vulnerability operates as a stored XSS because the malicious payload is permanently stored within the Jenkins system and executed whenever the affected page is accessed, rather than requiring a single interaction to exploit.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities within the Jenkins environment. An attacker could potentially steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, modify build results, or even escalate privileges within the Jenkins system. The requirement for Job/Configure permission means that the vulnerability can be exploited by users with moderate access levels, potentially allowing internal attackers or compromised accounts to gain further control over the CI/CD pipeline. This threat is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where Jenkins serves as a critical component for automated software delivery processes, as it could compromise the integrity of the entire build and deployment infrastructure.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through plugin updates to versions that properly escape display names in build cause information. The fix typically involves implementing proper HTML escaping mechanisms when rendering upstream job display names, ensuring that special characters are properly encoded before presentation to users. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and sanitization procedures for all user-controllable data within Jenkins plugins can prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future. Security teams should also conduct thorough audits of all Jenkins plugins to identify other potential XSS vulnerabilities and ensure that proper security practices are maintained throughout the CI/CD environment. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a typical example of how insufficient output escaping can create persistent security weaknesses in web applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1059.001 technique for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers can leverage the XSS to execute malicious commands through the browser environment, potentially leading to further exploitation of the Jenkins infrastructure.