CVE-2020-2291 in couchdb-statistics Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/08/2020
Jenkins couchdb-statistics Plugin 0.3 and earlier stores its server password unencrypted in its global configuration file on the Jenkins controller where it can be viewed by users with access to the Jenkins controller file system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/17/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-2291 affects the couchdb-statistics plugin version 0.3 and earlier within the Jenkins continuous integration and delivery platform. This issue represents a critical configuration flaw that exposes sensitive authentication credentials in an unencrypted format within the Jenkins controller's file system. The plugin's design fails to implement proper credential encryption mechanisms, creating a persistent security risk that can be exploited by malicious actors with file system access to the Jenkins controller.
The technical flaw stems from the plugin's improper handling of authentication credentials during the configuration process. When administrators configure the couchdb-statistics plugin to connect to a couchdb instance, the plugin stores the server password in plaintext within Jenkins' global configuration file. This configuration file typically resides in the Jenkins home directory and contains various plugin settings and credentials. The absence of encryption or obfuscation means that any user with read access to the Jenkins controller's file system can directly extract the password from the configuration file, bypassing all normal authentication mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, creating multiple attack vectors for potential exploitation. An attacker who gains file system access to the Jenkins controller can immediately retrieve the couchdb password and potentially use it to access the database directly, escalating privileges and potentially compromising additional systems that rely on the same authentication credentials. This vulnerability directly violates security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and aligns with CWE-312 (Sensitive Data Exposure) and CWE-522 (Insufficiently Protected Credentials) categories. The risk is compounded when considering that Jenkins controllers often run with elevated privileges and may contain additional sensitive configurations or credentials for other services.
The implications of this vulnerability are particularly severe in enterprise environments where Jenkins controllers may be hosted on shared infrastructure or where multiple administrators have varying levels of access. The attack surface expands when considering that Jenkins administrators often maintain numerous plugins and configurations that may contain similar credential storage flaws. This vulnerability also relates to ATT&CK technique T1552.001 (Credentials in Files) and T1078 (Valid Accounts), as it enables attackers to obtain valid credentials through file system access. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to plugin versions that address this issue, implementing strict file system access controls, and conducting comprehensive audits of all plugin configurations to identify similar credential storage vulnerabilities. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing credential management solutions that separate authentication from configuration files and enforce encryption of sensitive data at rest.