CVE-2022-23110 in Publish Over SSH Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 01/12/2022
Jenkins Publish Over SSH Plugin 1.22 and earlier does not escape the SSH server name, resulting in a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability exploitable by attackers with Overall/Administer permission.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/16/2022
The Jenkins Publish Over SSH Plugin vulnerability CVE-2022-23110 represents a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw that affects versions 1.22 and earlier of the plugin. This vulnerability resides in the plugin's handling of SSH server names within the Jenkins continuous integration and delivery environment. The flaw occurs when administrators configure SSH server connections through the plugin's interface, specifically in how the system processes and stores the server name parameter without proper input sanitization or output escaping mechanisms. Attackers with Overall/Administer permission can leverage this weakness to inject malicious scripts that will execute in the context of other users who view the affected configuration pages.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output escaping practices within the plugin's user interface components. When administrators enter SSH server names containing potentially malicious content, the plugin fails to properly escape special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This allows attackers to store malicious payloads within the Jenkins configuration that persist across sessions and executions. The vulnerability is classified as a stored XSS attack because the malicious content is saved to the server's database and subsequently rendered to other users without proper sanitization. The impact is particularly severe given that the affected permission level of Overall/Administer provides attackers with extensive control over Jenkins operations, including the ability to modify configurations, create jobs, and potentially access sensitive build artifacts.
The operational implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to escalate their privileges and compromise the entire Jenkins environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or execute arbitrary commands on behalf of other users with the same privileges. The attack vector requires minimal technical expertise since it leverages existing administrative permissions, making it particularly dangerous in environments where Jenkins is used for critical build and deployment processes. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79, which defines the weakness of cross-site scripting, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers can use the XSS payload to execute commands through the Jenkins environment. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise settings where Jenkins serves as a central automation hub for software development pipelines, as successful exploitation could lead to complete compromise of the CI/CD infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-23110 focus on immediate plugin updates and enhanced input validation practices. Organizations should upgrade to Jenkins Publish Over SSH Plugin version 1.23 or later, which includes proper output escaping for SSH server names. Additionally, administrators should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit who can modify Jenkins configurations, reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation. Regular security audits of Jenkins plugins and configurations should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components. The remediation process should include thorough testing of updated plugins in staging environments to ensure compatibility with existing workflows. Organizations should also implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual configuration changes and establish incident response procedures for potential XSS exploitation attempts. Security awareness training for administrators can help prevent accidental configuration errors that might exacerbate the vulnerability's impact, while implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures against potential exploitation scenarios.