CVE-2020-2316 in Static Analysis Utilities Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/04/2020
Jenkins Static Analysis Utilities Plugin 1.96 and earlier does not escape the annotation message in tooltips, resulting in a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability exploitable by attackers with Job/Configure permission.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/02/2020
The Jenkins Static Analysis Utilities Plugin vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-2316 represents a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw that emerged from inadequate input sanitization within the plugin's tooltip functionality. This vulnerability affects versions 1.96 and earlier, where the plugin fails to properly escape annotation messages before rendering them in tooltips, creating a persistent XSS attack surface that can be exploited by malicious actors with minimal privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's handling of user-provided annotation data within tooltip contexts. When users configure static analysis jobs, they can input annotation messages that are subsequently stored and displayed in tooltips throughout the Jenkins interface. The absence of proper HTML escaping mechanisms means that malicious payloads can be injected directly into these tooltips, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of other users' browser sessions. This stored nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious code persists even after the initial injection, making it particularly dangerous as it can affect multiple users over extended periods.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple XSS exploitation, as it provides attackers with a foothold for more sophisticated attacks within the Jenkins environment. An attacker with Job/Configure permission can inject malicious scripts that could steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or even exfiltrate sensitive build information and credentials stored within the Jenkins system. This vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-79, which addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for JavaScript execution within web browsers. The attack vector becomes particularly concerning in enterprise environments where Jenkins serves as a central automation hub for continuous integration and deployment processes.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-2316 should prioritize immediate plugin version upgrades to 1.97 or later, where the XSS vulnerability has been addressed through proper input sanitization. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures including browser security policies such as Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution capabilities, regular security scanning of Jenkins plugins, and strict access controls limiting the Job/Configure permissions to only trusted users. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional layers of defense, while regular security audits of Jenkins configurations and plugin installations help identify potential vulnerabilities before exploitation. The remediation process should also include comprehensive user education about the risks of injecting untrusted data into Jenkins configuration fields and the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices across all automation platforms.