CVE-2022-25199 in SCP Publisher Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 02/15/2022
A missing permission check in Jenkins SCP publisher Plugin 1.8 and earlier allows attackers with Overall/Read permission to connect to an attacker-specified SSH server using attacker-specified credentials.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/18/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-25199 resides within the Jenkins SCP publisher plugin version 1.8 and earlier, representing a critical authorization bypass flaw that undermines the security model of the Jenkins continuous integration platform. This issue manifests as a missing permission check that allows authenticated users with only Overall/Read permission to establish connections to arbitrary SSH servers using credentials specified by the attacker. The vulnerability directly contravenes the principle of least privilege by enabling unauthorized network communication that bypasses normal access controls. The SCP publisher plugin is commonly used to transfer files to remote servers via SSH, making this flaw particularly dangerous as it allows attackers to potentially exfiltrate sensitive data or establish unauthorized remote access points.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user permissions within the plugin's SSH connection handling mechanism. When a user with Overall/Read permission attempts to initiate an SCP operation, the plugin fails to verify whether the user possesses the necessary credentials and authorization to connect to arbitrary remote systems. This missing authorization check creates a path where attackers can specify any SSH server address and credentials, effectively allowing them to perform unauthorized network operations. The flaw operates at the application layer and specifically impacts the plugin's handling of remote server connections, making it difficult to detect through standard network monitoring as the connections appear to originate from legitimate Jenkins operations. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control mechanisms, and represents a clear violation of the access control principles that govern secure application design.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-25199 extends beyond simple unauthorized network access, creating potential pathways for data exfiltration, lateral movement, and system compromise within Jenkins environments. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can connect to external servers using stolen or forged credentials, potentially gaining access to sensitive build artifacts, source code repositories, or configuration files stored on remote systems. The attack surface is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where Jenkins servers often serve as central points for software delivery and where access controls are critical for maintaining security boundaries. Organizations may experience unauthorized data transfers, potential system infiltration through compromised remote servers, and the exposure of sensitive build environments that could contain intellectual property or security credentials. The vulnerability's impact is amplified when Jenkins is configured to use shared or default credentials, as attackers can exploit this flaw to escalate their access within the build infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-25199 should prioritize immediate plugin version upgrades to 1.9 or later, which contain the necessary permission checks to prevent unauthorized SSH connections. Organizations should implement network segmentation to restrict Jenkins server access to trusted networks and configure firewall rules to limit outbound SSH connections from Jenkins instances. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by restricting user permissions within Jenkins, ensuring that only authorized personnel have the ability to configure and execute SCP operations. Additionally, implementing network monitoring and anomaly detection systems can help identify suspicious outbound SSH connections that may indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should conduct comprehensive audits of Jenkins plugin configurations and review all SSH connection parameters to ensure that no unauthorized access points exist. The remediation process should also include updating Jenkins core and all plugins to their latest secure versions, as this vulnerability represents a broader class of access control flaws that may exist in other plugins within the Jenkins ecosystem. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper permission validation in distributed systems and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential harvesting, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security controls beyond traditional perimeter defenses.