CVE-2022-45392 in Performance Publisher Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/15/2022
Jenkins NS-ND Integration Performance Publisher Plugin 4.8.0.143 and earlier stores passwords unencrypted in job config.xml files on the Jenkins controller where they can be viewed by attackers with Extended Read permission, or access to the Jenkins controller file system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/19/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-45392 affects the Jenkins NS-ND Integration Performance Publisher Plugin version 4.8.0.143 and earlier, presenting a critical security risk within continuous integration and delivery environments. This issue stems from improper credential handling practices where sensitive authentication information is stored in plain text format within the Jenkins controller's configuration files, specifically within the job config.xml documents. The flaw represents a fundamental failure in secure credential management, as it violates established security principles that mandate the encryption of sensitive data both at rest and in transit. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows attackers with minimal privileges to access sensitive information, as Extended Read permission on the Jenkins controller is sufficient to retrieve these unencrypted credentials.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the plugin's configuration storage mechanism where password values are serialized directly into the XML configuration files without any form of encryption or obfuscation. When Jenkins processes jobs that utilize this plugin, it persists the credential information in the job configuration files, making them accessible to any user who can read the configuration files or has access to the underlying file system. This design flaw creates a persistent exposure window where sensitive authentication data remains vulnerable to unauthorized access. The configuration files are typically stored in the Jenkins home directory under the jobs folder structure, where each job maintains its own configuration file containing all relevant settings including unencrypted credentials. This approach directly contravenes security best practices and industry standards such as those outlined in CWE-312, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper data handling.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it can lead to complete compromise of the Jenkins infrastructure and downstream systems. Attackers who gain access to these unencrypted passwords can potentially escalate their privileges within the CI/CD pipeline, access source code repositories, deploy malicious code, or compromise other systems that rely on the Jenkins environment for automated operations. The vulnerability affects organizations that utilize the NS-ND Integration Performance Publisher Plugin for performance monitoring and reporting within their Jenkins environments, creating a significant risk for enterprises that depend on automated build and deployment processes. The exposure of these credentials can result in unauthorized access to production environments, data breaches, and potential compliance violations, particularly in regulated industries where proper credential management is mandated.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to the patched version of the Jenkins NS-ND Integration Performance Publisher Plugin to address this vulnerability. System administrators must also conduct thorough audits of existing Jenkins configurations to identify and remove any exposed credentials from job configuration files, ensuring that all sensitive information is properly encrypted using Jenkins' built-in credential management systems. The remediation process should include implementing proper access controls and privilege management to limit who can read job configurations, while also establishing automated monitoring for unauthorized access attempts to sensitive files. Security teams should also consider implementing additional layers of protection such as file system encryption, regular credential rotation procedures, and comprehensive logging of configuration file access to detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552.001, which covers "Unsecured Credentials" and demonstrates how insecure storage of authentication information can provide attackers with persistent access to critical systems. The incident underscores the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing proper credential handling mechanisms as recommended by industry standards including those from NIST and ISO 27001.