CVE-2020-2262 in Android Lint Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Jenkins Android Lint Plugin 2.6 and earlier does not escape the annotation message in tooltips, resulting in a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability exploitable by attackers able to provide report files to the plugin's post-build step.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/16/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-2262 affects the Jenkins Android Lint Plugin version 2.6 and earlier, presenting a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw that can be exploited by malicious actors with access to the build environment. This vulnerability resides in the plugin's handling of annotation messages within tooltip displays, where proper output escaping mechanisms are absent. The issue manifests when the plugin processes Android lint report files during post-build steps, creating a persistent XSS vector that can be triggered whenever users view build results containing maliciously crafted annotation messages.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input sanitization and output escaping within the plugin's user interface components. When the Android Lint plugin parses and displays lint results, it fails to properly escape special characters in annotation messages before rendering them in HTML tooltips. This omission allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code into the annotation messages, which then executes in the context of other users' browsers when they view the build results. The vulnerability is classified as stored XSS because the malicious payload is persisted within the plugin's report data rather than being injected through a single request, making it particularly dangerous as it can affect multiple users over time.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the ability to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive information, and potentially escalate privileges within the Jenkins environment. An attacker who can upload or modify Android lint report files can inject malicious scripts that execute in the browser of any user who views the build results, including administrators with elevated privileges. This creates a significant risk for organizations that rely on Jenkins for continuous integration and deployment workflows, as the attack surface includes not just the build servers but also the users who interact with the Jenkins web interface. The vulnerability can be exploited without requiring authentication to the Jenkins instance itself, making it particularly concerning for environments where build artifacts are shared or where untrusted parties have access to report files.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate upgrade to Jenkins Android Lint Plugin version 2.7 or later, which contains the necessary output escaping fixes. Organizations should also implement strict file validation and access controls for build report files, ensuring that only trusted users can submit or modify lint reports. Additionally, implementing content security policies and regular security scanning of plugin installations can help detect and prevent similar vulnerabilities. This issue aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script injection. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewall rules to detect and block suspicious script payloads in tooltip content and maintain regular vulnerability assessments of their Jenkins plugin ecosystem to prevent similar stored XSS vulnerabilities from going undetected.