CVE-2022-34784 in build-metrics Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/30/2022
Jenkins build-metrics Plugin 1.3 does not escape the build description on one of its views, resulting in a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability exploitable by attackers with Build/Update permission.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/17/2022
The Jenkins build-metrics plugin version 1.3 contains a critical stored cross-site scripting vulnerability that arises from inadequate input sanitization within its web interface. This vulnerability exists in the plugin's view rendering logic where build descriptions are not properly escaped before being displayed to users, creating an attack surface that can be exploited by malicious actors who possess Build/Update permissions. The flaw specifically impacts the plugin's ability to handle user-supplied content in build descriptions, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users who view affected build information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to apply proper output encoding when rendering build descriptions within its web views. This represents a classic stored XSS scenario where malicious input is first stored in the application's database and then subsequently rendered without adequate sanitization. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only Build/Update permissions, which are commonly granted to developers and CI/CD operators within Jenkins environments, making it accessible to individuals who may not have elevated administrative privileges. The attack vector involves crafting a malicious build description containing script tags or other XSS payloads that persist in the system and execute whenever the affected view is accessed by other users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive credentials, or redirect users to malicious websites. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that once exploited, the malicious payload remains active until manually removed from the build description, potentially affecting multiple users over extended periods. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to access other users' Jenkins sessions, potentially gaining access to source code repositories, build artifacts, or other sensitive information within the CI/CD pipeline. This weakness directly violates security principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities in web applications.
Organizations should immediately update to a patched version of the build-metrics plugin to remediate this vulnerability, as no effective workarounds exist for the specific flaw. The recommended mitigation strategy involves implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the plugin's rendering pipeline, ensuring that all user-supplied content is properly escaped before display. Security teams should also implement monitoring for suspicious build description modifications and consider restricting Build/Update permissions to only trusted personnel. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input sanitization in web applications and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers social engineering through malicious content delivery, as attackers could use this vulnerability to establish persistent access to CI/CD environments through the exploitation of build metadata.