CVE-2020-2283 in Liquibase Runner Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Jenkins Liquibase Runner Plugin 1.4.5 and earlier does not escape changeset contents, resulting in a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability exploitable by users able to control changeset files evaluated by the plugin.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/23/2020
The Jenkins Liquibase Runner Plugin vulnerability CVE-2020-2283 represents a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw that affects versions 1.4.5 and earlier. This vulnerability arises from insufficient input sanitization within the plugin's processing of changeset files, creating an environment where malicious actors can inject persistent XSS payloads. The flaw specifically manifests when the plugin evaluates changeset contents without proper HTML escaping mechanisms, allowing attackers to store malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires minimal privileges to exploit, as users who can control changeset files can leverage this weakness to compromise the entire Jenkins environment. The stored nature of this XSS vulnerability means that once a malicious changeset is processed and stored, the payload will execute every time the affected page is loaded, potentially affecting multiple users who access the Jenkins interface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly sanitize user-controlled input during the changeset evaluation process. When Jenkins processes Liquibase changeset files, it reads and interprets the content without implementing adequate output escaping or encoding mechanisms for HTML characters. This omission creates a direct path for attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that gets stored in the system and executed when other users view the changeset information within the Jenkins interface. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and demonstrates how improper input validation and output encoding can lead to persistent security issues. The flaw operates at the application layer and can be classified under the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers can execute arbitrary code through the stored XSS payload.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-2283 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges and access sensitive information within the Jenkins environment. Successful exploitation allows malicious actors to steal session cookies, perform actions on behalf of legitimate users, and potentially access other systems connected to the Jenkins instance. The vulnerability affects Jenkins administrators and developers who regularly interact with Liquibase changeset files, creating a persistent threat vector that can remain active for extended periods. Attackers can leverage this weakness to establish persistent access, exfiltrate build credentials, and manipulate the continuous integration pipeline. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that the attack surface remains active even after the initial exploitation, as the malicious payload continues to execute whenever affected pages are accessed. Organizations using Jenkins with Liquibase integration face significant risk of unauthorized access and data compromise, particularly in environments where multiple users have the ability to submit changeset files.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-2283 focus on immediate plugin updates and input validation improvements. The most effective solution involves upgrading to Jenkins Liquibase Runner Plugin version 1.4.6 or later, which includes proper HTML escaping mechanisms for changeset contents. Organizations should implement strict access controls to limit which users can submit changeset files, reducing the attack surface. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to further mitigate XSS risks, though this provides secondary protection rather than addressing the root cause. Input validation should be enhanced to sanitize all user-controlled data before processing, and regular security audits should verify that no other plugins exhibit similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date Jenkins plugins and implementing comprehensive security monitoring to detect anomalous behavior in CI/CD environments. Organizations should establish secure coding practices for plugin development and conduct regular penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses in their Jenkins infrastructure.