CVE-2023-24441 in MSTest Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 01/26/2023
Jenkins MSTest Plugin 1.0.0 and earlier does not configure its XML parser to prevent XML external entity (XXE) attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-24441 affects the Jenkins MSTest Plugin version 1.0.0 and earlier, presenting a critical security risk through improper XML parser configuration that leaves systems susceptible to XML external entity attacks. This flaw represents a significant weakness in the plugin's input validation mechanisms and demonstrates poor security hygiene in handling structured data processing within the Jenkins continuous integration environment.
The technical flaw stems from the plugin's failure to properly configure its XML parser to disable external entity resolution and other dangerous XML processing features. When the MSTest plugin processes test result files or configuration data, it relies on an XML parser that by default allows external entity references to be resolved. This configuration enables attackers to craft malicious XML content that can trigger various attack vectors including sensitive data exfiltration, server-side request forgery, or denial of service conditions. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-611, which specifically addresses improper restriction of XML external entity references, and represents a classic XXE attack scenario where untrusted XML input is processed without adequate security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it creates multiple attack vectors that can be leveraged by threat actors within Jenkins environments. An attacker who can influence the content of test result files or configuration data submitted to the Jenkins instance could potentially extract sensitive information from the server's file system, perform port scanning against internal network resources, or even execute arbitrary code depending on the server configuration and available resources. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations using Jenkins for automated testing workflows where test result files might be processed from untrusted sources or where attackers can inject malicious content into the build process. The attack surface is further expanded when considering that Jenkins instances often run with elevated privileges and may have access to sensitive systems and data repositories.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to a patched version of the MSTest plugin to address this vulnerability, as the risk of exploitation remains high given the widespread use of Jenkins in CI/CD pipelines. The recommended mitigations include not only updating the plugin but also implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all XML processing within Jenkins environments. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of successful XXE attacks, while monitoring for unusual file processing patterns or external network connections originating from Jenkins servers. According to ATT&CK framework category T1190, this vulnerability aligns with the technique of exploiting XML external entity vulnerabilities, and organizations should ensure their defensive measures include detection of suspicious XML processing activities and proper configuration management of XML parsers across all Jenkins plugins and components.