CVE-2020-2292 in Release Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/08/2020
Jenkins Release Plugin 2.10.2 and earlier does not escape the release version in badge tooltip, resulting in a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability exploitable by attackers with Release/Release permission.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/17/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-2292 affects the Jenkins Release Plugin version 2.10.2 and earlier, representing a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw that can be exploited by authenticated attackers possessing Release/Release permission. This vulnerability resides in the plugin's handling of release version information within badge tooltips, creating a persistent security risk that can compromise user sessions and execute malicious code in the context of the affected Jenkins instance. The flaw specifically manifests when the plugin fails to properly sanitize or escape user-controllable input data, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts that persist in the system and execute whenever affected users view the vulnerable interface elements.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output escaping mechanisms within the Jenkins Release Plugin's user interface components. When administrators or authorized users create or modify release versions, the plugin stores this information in badge tooltips that are subsequently displayed to other users. The absence of proper HTML escaping or sanitization means that malicious payload strings containing script tags or other XSS vectors can be stored and rendered without proper context handling. This stored XSS vulnerability operates under CWE-79 which classifies the issue as a failure to sanitize user inputs before incorporating them into dynamically generated web content. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires minimal privileges to exploit, as attackers only need the Release/Release permission level to successfully inject malicious code.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-2292 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive credentials, and potentially escalate privileges within the Jenkins environment. When compromised users view the affected badge tooltips, their browsers execute the stored malicious scripts, which can redirect them to phishing sites, exfiltrate cookies and session tokens, or perform actions on their behalf within the Jenkins system. The attack vector leverages the principle of least privilege in a way that undermines security boundaries, as an attacker with relatively low permissions can create a persistent threat that affects all users who interact with the vulnerable plugin interface. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically focusing on script injection in web applications, and represents a significant risk to Jenkins environments that rely on release management workflows.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to Jenkins Release Plugin version 2.10.3 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the XSS vulnerability through proper input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms. System administrators should also implement additional security measures including regular security audits of installed plugins, monitoring for suspicious activity in release management workflows, and implementing network-level restrictions to limit access to Jenkins instances. The mitigation strategy should include enabling Jenkins security features such as CSRF protection and ensuring that users have appropriate permission levels to minimize the attack surface. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls or security monitoring solutions that can detect and prevent XSS attempts in real-time, as the vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including release creation, modification, or viewing of release information.