CVE-2022-46682 in Plot Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/12/2022
Jenkins Plot Plugin 2.1.11 and earlier does not configure its XML parser to prevent XML external entity (XXE) attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/12/2022
The Jenkins Plot Plugin vulnerability represents a critical security flaw that exposes systems to XML external entity attacks through improper XML parser configuration. This vulnerability affects versions 2.1.11 and earlier of the Plot plugin, which is commonly used within Jenkins continuous integration environments to generate various types of plots and charts from data sources. The flaw resides in how the plugin processes XML input data, specifically failing to disable external entity resolution during XML parsing operations. This configuration oversight creates a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system through carefully crafted XML payloads that can trigger unauthorized data access, server-side request forgery, or even remote code execution depending on the underlying system configuration. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where Jenkins serves as a central automation hub, as it could allow attackers to escalate privileges and gain access to sensitive build artifacts, credentials, or system information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's reliance on XML parsers without proper security hardening measures. When the Plot plugin processes user-provided data or configuration files that contain XML content, it fails to configure the XML parser to reject external entity declarations and references. This misconfiguration allows attackers to craft malicious XML documents that include external entity references pointing to internal network resources or external malicious servers. According to the CWE taxonomy, this vulnerability maps to CWE-611, which specifically addresses improper restriction of XML external entity processing, and potentially CWE-915, which covers improper control of generation of code. The attack surface is broadened by the fact that the plugin processes various data formats including CSV, JSON, and XML inputs that may contain embedded XML structures, making it difficult for administrators to predict all potential attack vectors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, potentially enabling sophisticated attack chains that can compromise entire Jenkins infrastructures. An attacker exploiting this XXE vulnerability could perform server-side request forgery attacks, allowing them to make requests to internal services that would normally be restricted by network segmentation. This capability can lead to information disclosure of internal system details, credential harvesting from internal services, or even facilitate lateral movement within the network. The attack can be particularly devastating in CI/CD environments where Jenkins systems often have elevated privileges and access to production systems, source code repositories, and deployment targets. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability enables techniques such as T1078 Valid Accounts for initial access and T1566 Phishing for initial compromise, while potentially supporting T1041 Exfiltration Over C2 Channel for data exfiltration once the system is compromised. The vulnerability also aligns with T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, as the XXE attack can potentially be leveraged to execute commands on the target system through carefully constructed payload sequences.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to the patched version of the Jenkins Plot Plugin, which addresses the XML parser configuration issue by properly disabling external entity processing. Administrators should also implement network segmentation controls to limit access to Jenkins systems and consider implementing XML input validation at the network level using web application firewalls or API gateways. The mitigation strategy should include disabling unnecessary XML processing capabilities within Jenkins and ensuring that all user-provided input is properly sanitized before processing. Regular security assessments of Jenkins plugins and their configurations should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities across the automation infrastructure. Additionally, monitoring for suspicious XML processing activities and implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The remediation process should also include reviewing and hardening the XML parser configurations across all Jenkins components and ensuring that security best practices are followed when integrating third-party plugins into the CI/CD pipeline.