CVE-2022-28155 in Pipeline Phoenix AutoTest Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/29/2022
Jenkins Pipeline: Phoenix AutoTest Plugin 1.3 and earlier does not configure its XML parser to prevent XML external entity (XXE) attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/01/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-28155 affects the Jenkins Pipeline: Phoenix AutoTest Plugin version 1.3 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that exposes systems to XML external entity attacks. This issue resides within the plugin's XML parsing implementation where proper security configurations are absent, creating an avenue for malicious actors to exploit the system through crafted XML input. The vulnerability falls under the category of insecure deserialization and improper input validation, which are fundamental weaknesses that undermine the integrity of XML processing within the Jenkins ecosystem.
The technical flaw manifests when the plugin processes XML data without implementing adequate restrictions on external entity resolution. Specifically, the XML parser lacks configuration to disable external entity processing, allowing attackers to craft malicious XML payloads that can trigger various attack vectors including server-side request forgery, denial of service conditions, and potentially remote code execution depending on the target environment. This weakness directly maps to CWE-611, which describes improper restriction of XML external entities, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for data from information repositories. The plugin's failure to properly configure its XML parser represents a critical oversight in secure coding practices, particularly in the context of enterprise automation platforms where Jenkins serves as a central orchestration point for software delivery pipelines.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption or service disruption, as it can enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive system information and potentially compromise the entire Jenkins infrastructure. When exploited, the XXE vulnerability allows attackers to read arbitrary files on the server, perform port scanning, or even execute commands on the underlying system if the environment permits such operations. The attack surface is particularly concerning in continuous integration and deployment environments where Jenkins often runs with elevated privileges and has access to source code repositories, build artifacts, and production systems. Organizations using affected plugin versions face significant risk of supply chain compromise, as Jenkins serves as a critical component in automated build and deployment processes where attackers could potentially gain access to sensitive credentials, source code, or deployment configurations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-28155 require immediate action to upgrade to a patched version of the Jenkins Pipeline: Phoenix AutoTest Plugin where the XML parser has been properly configured to prevent external entity resolution. System administrators should also implement network-level restrictions to limit access to Jenkins instances and ensure that the plugin is only accessible to authorized users within trusted network segments. Additional protective measures include implementing proper input validation for all XML processing within Jenkins, configuring security headers to prevent XXE attacks, and conducting regular security assessments of Jenkins plugins to identify similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious XML processing activities. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the upgrade does not break existing pipeline configurations while maintaining the security posture of the automation infrastructure. Regular security updates and patch management procedures should be enforced to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other Jenkins plugins or components within the deployment environment.