CVE-2023-28629 in GoCD
Summary
by MITRE • 03/28/2023
GoCD is an open source continuous delivery server. GoCD versions before 23.1.0 are vulnerable to a stored XSS vulnerability, where pipeline configuration with a malicious pipeline label configuration can affect browser display of pipeline runs generated from that configuration. An attacker that has permissions to configure GoCD pipelines could include JavaScript elements within the label template, causing a XSS vulnerability to be triggered for any users viewing the Value Stream Map or Job Details for runs of the affected pipeline, potentially allowing them to perform arbitrary actions within the victim's browser context rather than their own. This issue has been fixed in GoCD 23.1.0. Users are advised to upgrade. There are no known workarounds for this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/16/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-28629 represents a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw in GoCD continuous delivery server versions prior to 23.1.0. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of pipeline label configurations, creating an attack vector that allows malicious actors to inject JavaScript code into the system's configuration elements. The flaw specifically affects how GoCD processes pipeline label templates, which are used to generate display names for pipeline runs within the user interface. When these labels contain malicious script content, the vulnerability becomes exploitable during normal user interactions with the Value Stream Map or Job Details pages, making it particularly dangerous as it leverages legitimate user sessions to execute unauthorized actions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows the CWE-79 pattern of cross-site scripting, where user-controllable data flows directly into the application's output without proper sanitization. In GoCD's case, the pipeline label configuration serves as the injection point where attackers can embed malicious JavaScript code that gets executed when users view pipeline run details. The vulnerability operates through the application's rendering pipeline where configured labels are directly embedded into HTML output without appropriate encoding or sanitization measures. This stored nature of the vulnerability means that once malicious code is injected into a pipeline configuration, it persists and affects all users who access the relevant display pages, making it particularly insidious as it can compromise multiple users over time without requiring repeated attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to perform arbitrary actions within the context of authenticated users' browsers. This includes potential data exfiltration, session hijacking, and privilege escalation within the GoCD environment. The attack requires only pipeline configuration permissions, which many organizations grant to developers or CI/CD administrators, making the vulnerability accessible to insiders or compromised accounts. Users viewing the Value Stream Map or Job Details pages become victims of the stored XSS, with their browsers executing the malicious code and potentially allowing attackers to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform unauthorized operations within the GoCD interface. The vulnerability affects the core user experience and security posture of the continuous delivery platform, potentially compromising the integrity of the entire CI/CD pipeline.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-28629 center exclusively on upgrading to GoCD version 23.1.0 or later, as no effective workarounds exist for this particular vulnerability. Organizations should implement immediate upgrade procedures to protect their CI/CD infrastructure, particularly given the stored nature of the attack vector that can persist long after initial compromise. Security teams should conduct comprehensive assessments of pipeline configurations to identify any potentially compromised labels and implement strict access controls for pipeline configuration permissions. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and output encoding in web applications, particularly in systems where user-provided data directly influences UI rendering. Organizations should also consider implementing additional monitoring for unusual pipeline configuration changes and establish incident response procedures for potential XSS exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 by leveraging application weaknesses to execute code in user browsers, emphasizing the need for robust web application security practices in continuous integration and delivery environments.