CVE-2020-2260 in Perfecto Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
A missing permission check in Jenkins Perfecto Plugin 1.17 and earlier allows attackers with Overall/Read permission to connect to an attacker-specified HTTP URL using attacker-specified credentials.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/16/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-2260 resides within the Jenkins Perfecto Plugin version 1.17 and earlier, representing a critical authorization flaw that undermines the security posture of Jenkins environments. This issue manifests as a missing permission check that allows unauthorized access to network resources through a carefully crafted attack vector. The flaw specifically affects systems where the Perfecto plugin is installed and configured, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit legitimate user permissions and extend their reach beyond intended boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user privileges within the plugin's HTTP connection handling mechanisms. When an attacker possesses the Overall/Read permission level, which is typically considered a baseline access level for viewing Jenkins configurations, they can manipulate the plugin to establish connections to arbitrary HTTP endpoints. This occurs because the plugin fails to verify whether the requesting user has adequate authorization to perform network operations beyond the standard read permissions. The flaw essentially allows privilege escalation through network-based attacks that leverage the existing read access to execute unauthorized HTTP requests.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-2260 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it enables attackers to potentially access sensitive resources that are not protected by the standard permission model. An attacker could use this vulnerability to connect to internal services, external APIs, or even malicious servers controlled by the attacker. This capability opens doors to various attack scenarios including data exfiltration, command and control communication, or further network reconnaissance. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Jenkins serves as a central automation platform and may have access to privileged systems or sensitive data repositories.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations to prevent exploitation. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to a patched version of the Jenkins Perfecto Plugin where the missing permission checks have been properly implemented. Additionally, administrators should review and restrict user permissions within Jenkins to ensure that only authorized personnel possess Overall/Read access. Network segmentation and firewall rules can provide additional layers of protection by limiting outbound connections from Jenkins servers. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege. The attack pattern follows elements of the ATT&CK framework under TA0011 (Command and Control) and TA0006 (Credential Access), as it enables unauthorized network communication and potential credential compromise through unauthorized HTTP connections. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect unusual outbound network connections from Jenkins servers, as these activities may indicate exploitation attempts.