CVE-2021-43577 in OWASP Dependency-Check Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/12/2021
Jenkins OWASP Dependency-Check Plugin 5.1.1 and earlier does not configure its XML parser to prevent XML external entity (XXE) attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/16/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-43577 affects the Jenkins OWASP Dependency-Check Plugin version 5.1.1 and earlier, presenting a critical security risk through improper XML parser configuration. This flaw allows attackers to exploit XML external entity processing vulnerabilities during the plugin's handling of dependency check reports, potentially enabling unauthorized access to sensitive information and system compromise. The issue stems from the plugin's failure to properly secure its XML parsing mechanisms against malicious input.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the plugin's XML parser configuration which lacks essential security controls to prevent external entity resolution. When the plugin processes dependency check reports containing maliciously crafted XML data, it inadvertently allows the XML parser to resolve external entities, enabling attackers to perform various malicious activities including server-side request forgery attacks, file content disclosure, and potentially remote code execution depending on the target environment. This weakness directly maps to CWE-611, which specifically addresses improper restriction of XML external entity processing, and represents a classic XXE attack vector that has been widely documented in security literature.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it can enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to internal systems through server-side request forgery mechanisms. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to access local files on the Jenkins server, potentially extracting sensitive configuration data, credentials, or other confidential information stored within the system. The attack surface is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where Jenkins servers often have elevated privileges and access to critical infrastructure components, making this vulnerability a significant threat to overall security posture.
Organizations utilizing the affected Jenkins plugin should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to version 5.1.2 or later where the XXE vulnerability has been addressed through proper XML parser configuration. Security teams should also consider implementing network-level restrictions to prevent unauthorized access to Jenkins instances and ensure that XML parsing components are configured with secure defaults that disable external entity resolution. Additional defensive measures include monitoring for suspicious XML content in dependency check reports and implementing proper input validation for all XML processing activities within the Jenkins environment. The remediation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 which focuses on data from information repositories and emphasizes the importance of securing XML processing components to prevent unauthorized data access and system compromise.