CVE-2022-34210 in ThreadFix Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/23/2022
A missing permission check in Jenkins ThreadFix Plugin 1.5.4 and earlier allows attackers with Overall/Read permission to connect to an attacker-specified URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-34210 resides within the Jenkins ThreadFix Plugin version 1.5.4 and earlier, representing a critical permission bypass flaw that undermines the security model of the Jenkins platform. This issue allows unauthenticated attackers who possess only the basic Overall/Read permission to execute arbitrary network connections to specified URLs, effectively bypassing the intended access controls that should restrict such operations. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user permissions before initiating network communication, creating a pathway for malicious actors to leverage their limited access rights for more extensive reconnaissance or exploitation activities.
The technical implementation of this flaw demonstrates a classic case of inadequate input validation and permission verification within the plugin's network communication functions. When the ThreadFix plugin processes user requests that involve URL connections, it fails to properly authenticate whether the requesting user has elevated privileges required for such operations. This missing permission check creates a vector where an attacker with minimal privileges can manipulate the plugin's functionality to establish connections to arbitrary external endpoints. The vulnerability specifically affects the plugin's handling of network requests, where the system should validate that the user possesses appropriate authorization levels before allowing outbound connections to be initiated.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it enables attackers to perform network reconnaissance activities that could reveal internal network structures, identify vulnerable systems, or even facilitate further attacks. An attacker could potentially use this capability to probe internal services, exfiltrate data through carefully crafted URLs, or establish connections to command and control infrastructure. The vulnerability's severity is amplified because it operates within a widely used Jenkins plugin ecosystem, meaning that organizations with Jenkins installations using the affected plugin versions are at risk. This flaw can be exploited to gather intelligence about the target environment, potentially leading to more sophisticated attacks that leverage the discovered network topology and services.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control mechanisms, and demonstrates how insufficient permission checking can create significant security risks within software applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, where attackers leverage limited access rights to expand their capabilities within the target environment. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the patched version of the ThreadFix plugin, implementing network segmentation to limit outbound connections, and conducting thorough security audits of all Jenkins plugins to identify similar permission bypass vulnerabilities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software components and implementing comprehensive access control policies to prevent unauthorized network communications from privileged accounts.