CVE-2022-45385 in Docker Hub Registry Notification Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/15/2022
A missing permission check in Jenkins CloudBees Docker Hub/Registry Notification Plugin 2.6.2 and earlier allows unauthenticated attackers to trigger builds of jobs corresponding to the attacker-specified repository.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/19/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-45385 resides within the Jenkins CloudBees Docker Hub/Registry Notification Plugin, specifically affecting versions 2.6.2 and earlier. This issue represents a critical authorization flaw that undermines the security posture of Jenkins environments relying on this plugin for Docker registry notifications. The vulnerability stems from a missing permission check mechanism that should have validated user credentials before allowing build triggering operations, creating an exploitable gap in the access control model.
The technical flaw manifests as an insufficient validation of authentication status during the build triggering process initiated through Docker Hub or registry notifications. When an attacker sends a notification to the Jenkins instance, the plugin fails to verify whether the request originates from an authenticated user or a malicious actor. This missing permission check allows any unauthenticated individual to specify a repository and trigger corresponding builds, effectively bypassing the intended security controls. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through network-based attacks without requiring prior access credentials to the Jenkins system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted. Attackers can leverage this flaw to trigger unauthorized builds of jobs associated with specific Docker repositories, potentially leading to resource exhaustion through excessive build processes. The vulnerability enables arbitrary code execution within the Jenkins environment, as build jobs often have elevated privileges and can execute various commands on the underlying system. Additionally, this weakness can facilitate supply chain attacks where malicious actors trigger builds of repositories containing compromised code, potentially affecting downstream applications and services that depend on these builds.
Organizations utilizing the affected Jenkins plugin should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to version 2.6.3 or later where the permission check has been properly implemented. Network-level restrictions should be enforced to limit access to the Jenkins instance's notification endpoints, particularly blocking external access to the plugin's webhook handlers. Security teams should also review existing build job configurations to ensure that appropriate access controls have been implemented and that build jobs are not overly permissive. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059 for execution through build systems. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring and alerting for unauthorized build triggering activities, as this vulnerability can be used for both reconnaissance and exploitation phases of an attack lifecycle, potentially enabling further lateral movement within the network infrastructure.