CVE-2020-7909 in TeamCity
Summary
by MITRE
In JetBrains TeamCity before 2019.1.5, some server-stored passwords could be shown via the web UI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/31/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-7909 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within JetBrains TeamCity versions prior to 2019.1.5. This security weakness allows authenticated users to access server-stored passwords through the web user interface, potentially exposing sensitive authentication credentials used for various system components and external integrations. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the web application's password handling routines.
This vulnerability operates under the CWE-200 category of Information Exposure, specifically manifesting as a flaw in how the system handles and displays password data. The technical implementation involves the web UI not properly masking or sanitizing password fields when rendering them to authenticated users, creating an attack surface where sensitive credentials can be inadvertently exposed. The flaw is particularly concerning because it affects the core authentication infrastructure of the TeamCity server, potentially compromising not just the application itself but also integrated systems that rely on these stored credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it enables attackers with valid authentication credentials to escalate their privileges and access additional system resources. An attacker could leverage this information to gain unauthorized access to external systems, databases, or services that TeamCity uses for build processes and deployment activities. The vulnerability affects the availability and integrity of the entire CI/CD pipeline, as compromised passwords could lead to unauthorized code deployments, data manipulation, or complete system takeover. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1552.001 (Credentials in Files) and T1078 (Valid Accounts) techniques, as it involves unauthorized access to stored credentials and potential account compromise.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies including upgrading to TeamCity version 2019.1.5 or later, which addresses this vulnerability through proper password masking and access control mechanisms. Additional security measures should include implementing strict access controls for the web UI, monitoring authentication logs for suspicious activities, and conducting regular security assessments of CI/CD environments. Network segmentation and principle of least privilege access should be enforced to limit the potential damage from credential exposure. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper input validation and output sanitization in web applications, particularly those handling sensitive authentication data, and underscores the need for comprehensive security testing throughout the software development lifecycle.