CVE-2022-23105 in Active Directory Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 01/12/2022
Jenkins Active Directory Plugin 2.25 and earlier does not encrypt the transmission of data between the Jenkins controller and Active Directory servers in most configurations.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/15/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-23105 affects the Jenkins Active Directory Plugin version 2.25 and earlier, representing a critical security weakness in authentication and data transmission protocols. This issue specifically targets the communication channel between the Jenkins controller and Active Directory servers, creating potential exposure points for sensitive information interception and manipulation. The flaw exists in the default configuration settings of the plugin, meaning that organizations using affected versions are automatically vulnerable without any additional configuration changes.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from the absence of encryption during data transmission between Jenkins and Active Directory servers. This weakness allows attackers to capture authentication credentials, user information, and other sensitive data flowing through the network. The lack of encryption typically occurs when the plugin defaults to plaintext communication protocols rather than implementing secure encrypted channels such as LDAP over SSL/TLS or LDAPS. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-319 category of Cryptographic Issues, specifically addressing the transmission of confidential information over insecure channels.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-23105 extends beyond simple credential theft, as it creates opportunities for lateral movement within network environments and potential privilege escalation attacks. Attackers who can intercept the unencrypted communication can obtain user credentials, group memberships, and authentication tokens that may provide access to additional systems and resources. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 which covers valid accounts used for lateral movement, as compromised credentials can be used to traverse network boundaries. Organizations relying on Jenkins for CI/CD automation and build management are particularly at risk, as these systems often contain sensitive build artifacts and deployment credentials.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-23105 require immediate attention from system administrators and security teams. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to Jenkins Active Directory Plugin version 2.26 or later, which includes proper encryption implementation for data transmission. Organizations should also verify that their Jenkins configurations explicitly enable encrypted communication with Active Directory servers, typically through LDAPS or StartTLS protocols. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect unusual communication patterns that may indicate data interception attempts. Additionally, implementing network-level protections such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense against potential exploitation of this vulnerability. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the upgraded plugin maintains proper functionality while implementing the necessary encryption requirements.