CVE-2022-36890 in Deployer Framework Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/27/2022
Jenkins Deployer Framework Plugin 85.v1d1888e8c021 and earlier does not restrict the name of files in methods implementing form validation, allowing attackers with Item/Read permission to check for the existence of an attacker-specified file path on the Jenkins controller file system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/28/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-36890 affects the Jenkins Deployer Framework Plugin version 85.v1d1888e8c021 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of file system access controls within Jenkins environments. This vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's form validation mechanisms, where the implementation fails to properly sanitize or restrict file names used in validation methods. The flaw allows authenticated attackers who possess Item/Read permission to exploit a path traversal condition that enables them to check for the existence of arbitrary file paths on the Jenkins controller's file system. This represents a significant escalation of privileges since attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform reconnaissance activities and potentially identify sensitive files or directories that should remain hidden from unauthorized access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the plugin's form handling code, where file names are not properly sanitized before being processed in file system operations. When the plugin processes form data containing file path specifications, it fails to validate or restrict the naming conventions of these files, allowing attackers to inject malicious path components. This flaw aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability creates a condition where the plugin's validation methods accept potentially dangerous file path specifications without sufficient sanitization, enabling attackers to probe the file system structure and identify file existence based on the plugin's response behavior.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple reconnaissance as it provides attackers with a powerful reconnaissance tool that can be used to map the Jenkins controller's file system structure. Attackers with Item/Read permissions can systematically check for the existence of sensitive files such as configuration files, credential stores, or other potentially valuable artifacts on the controller. This reconnaissance capability can serve as a foundation for more sophisticated attacks, including privilege escalation, credential harvesting, or exploitation of other vulnerabilities within the Jenkins environment. The vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely on Jenkins for continuous integration and deployment processes, where the controller often hosts sensitive build configurations, access credentials, and other critical operational data.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability by upgrading to Jenkins Deployer Framework Plugin version 85.v1d1888e8c021 or later, which includes proper input validation and sanitization of file names in form validation methods. The remediation process should involve comprehensive testing to ensure that the updated plugin functions correctly within existing Jenkins environments while maintaining all required operational capabilities. Additionally, organizations should review their access control policies to ensure that Item/Read permissions are appropriately restricted to only trusted users and that principle of least privilege is maintained across all Jenkins instances. Security teams should also implement monitoring solutions to detect suspicious file system access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation in web applications and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers directory and file system discovery, highlighting how seemingly minor validation flaws can enable significant reconnaissance capabilities for attackers.