CVE-2022-30971 in Storable Configs Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/17/2022
Jenkins Storable Configs Plugin 1.0 and earlier does not configure its XML parser to prevent XML external entity (XXE) attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/25/2022
The Jenkins Storable Configs Plugin vulnerability represents a critical security flaw that exposes systems to XML external entity attacks, potentially allowing remote code execution and data exfiltration. This vulnerability affects versions 1.0 and earlier of the plugin, which is widely used within Jenkins environments for managing configuration data. The core issue lies in the plugin's failure to properly configure its XML parser to disable external entity processing, creating an attack surface that adversaries can exploit to manipulate XML parsing operations. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and security hardening measures within the plugin's XML handling mechanisms, which are fundamental components for processing configuration data in continuous integration and deployment pipelines.
The technical exploitation of this XXE vulnerability occurs when the plugin processes XML-formatted configuration data without proper security controls. Attackers can craft malicious XML payloads that reference external entities or perform server-side request forgery attacks, enabling them to read local files, access internal network resources, or potentially execute arbitrary code on the Jenkins server. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data access, as it can facilitate lateral movement within network environments and provide attackers with elevated privileges to manipulate build processes and access sensitive configuration information. This weakness directly corresponds to CWE-611, which specifically addresses insufficient protection against XML external entities, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through scripting languages, particularly when exploiting XML parsing vulnerabilities in web applications.
Organizations utilizing Jenkins with the affected plugin version face significant operational risks including potential data breaches, system compromise, and disruption of continuous integration workflows. The vulnerability can be exploited remotely without authentication, making it particularly dangerous in environments where Jenkins servers are exposed to untrusted networks. Security teams must consider the broader implications of this vulnerability within their infrastructure, as compromised Jenkins servers can provide attackers with access to source code repositories, build artifacts, and deployment credentials. The attack surface expands when considering that Jenkins is often integrated with other security tools and systems, potentially allowing attackers to leverage this initial foothold to escalate privileges and access additional resources.
Immediate mitigation strategies should prioritize upgrading to a patched version of the Jenkins Storable Configs Plugin where XML external entity processing has been properly disabled. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to Jenkins servers and ensure that only authorized personnel can interact with the system. Additional protective measures include configuring firewall rules to restrict external access to Jenkins ports, implementing robust input validation for all XML data processing, and establishing monitoring protocols to detect suspicious XML parsing activities. Security administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious XML payloads, along with regular security assessments to identify other potential XXE vulnerabilities within their Jenkins environment. The remediation process must include thorough testing of the updated plugin to ensure compatibility with existing configurations and build processes while maintaining the security posture against similar vulnerabilities in other components of the Jenkins ecosystem.