CVE-2022-23113 in Publish Over SSH Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 01/12/2022
Jenkins Publish Over SSH Plugin 1.22 and earlier performs a validation of the file name specifying whether it is present or not, resulting in a path traversal vulnerability allowing attackers with Item/Configure permission to discover the name of the Jenkins controller files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/15/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-23113 affects the Jenkins Publish Over SSH Plugin version 1.22 and earlier, representing a critical path traversal flaw that undermines the security of Jenkins continuous integration environments. This vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's file name validation mechanism, which fails to properly sanitize user inputs during the configuration process. The flaw allows attackers with minimal privileges to exploit the system's file handling capabilities and gain unauthorized access to sensitive information about the Jenkins controller's file structure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the plugin's configuration interface where users can specify file paths for SSH operations. When the plugin processes file names provided by users, it does not sufficiently validate or sanitize these inputs to prevent directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ that could allow attackers to navigate outside the intended directory boundaries. This validation failure creates an exploitable condition where malicious actors can craft specific file path inputs that bypass normal access controls and reveal file names within the Jenkins controller's file system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with valuable reconnaissance data about the Jenkins environment's internal structure. An attacker with Item/Configure permissions can leverage this flaw to discover the names of files and directories on the Jenkins controller, potentially identifying sensitive configuration files, credential stores, or other system components that could be targeted in subsequent attacks. This reconnaissance capability significantly increases the risk of successful exploitation of other vulnerabilities within the Jenkins environment, as attackers can now map out the system's file structure and identify potential targets.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Path Traversal and fits within the ATT&CK framework under T1083 File and Directory Discovery, representing a technique commonly used by threat actors to enumerate system resources. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where Jenkins serves as a central automation platform, as it could enable attackers to gain insights into the organization's CI/CD infrastructure and potentially identify additional attack vectors. The low privilege requirement for exploitation makes this vulnerability especially dangerous as it can be leveraged by users who might not have direct administrative access but still possess the ability to configure Jenkins items.
Organizations should immediately update their Jenkins Publish Over SSH Plugin to version 1.23 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this path traversal vulnerability. System administrators should also implement additional monitoring and access controls to detect anomalous file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include comprehensive review of existing Jenkins configurations to ensure that only authorized users have Item/Configure permissions, and that proper principle of least privilege is enforced across all Jenkins environments. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other Jenkins plugins and the broader CI/CD infrastructure.