CVE-2023-28681 in Visual Studio Code Metrics Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 04/02/2023
Jenkins Visual Studio Code Metrics Plugin 1.7 and earlier does not configure its XML parser to prevent XML external entity (XXE) attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/21/2023
The Jenkins Visual Studio Code Metrics Plugin vulnerability represents a critical security flaw that exposes systems to XML external entity attacks through improper XML parser configuration. This vulnerability affects versions 1.7 and earlier of the plugin, which is commonly used within Jenkins continuous integration environments to analyze code metrics from visual studio code projects. The flaw stems from the plugin's failure to properly secure its XML processing mechanisms, creating an attack surface that adversaries can exploit to execute malicious payloads.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the plugin's XML parser configuration which lacks proper restrictions on external entity resolution. When the plugin processes XML data containing external entity references, it fails to disable the resolution of external entities, allowing attackers to craft malicious XML payloads that can trigger various attack vectors. This configuration oversight enables attackers to perform server-side request forgery attacks, read arbitrary files from the server filesystem, or even execute remote code depending on the server environment and available privileges. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-611 which specifically addresses improper restriction of XML external entities and maps to ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for data from information repositories.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption or information disclosure. Attackers can leverage XXE vulnerabilities to access sensitive files on the Jenkins server, potentially compromising build environments and exposing source code, credentials, or other confidential information. In enterprise environments where Jenkins serves as a central automation hub, this vulnerability can provide attackers with elevated privileges to manipulate build processes, inject malicious code into production pipelines, or establish persistent access points. The attack surface is particularly concerning in environments where Jenkins has elevated permissions or access to sensitive systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the Jenkins Visual Studio Code Metrics Plugin to version 1.8 or later where the XML parser configuration has been properly secured. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to Jenkins servers, employ web application firewalls to detect and block malicious XML payloads, and conduct regular security assessments of plugin configurations. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary XML processing capabilities within Jenkins, implementing strict input validation for all XML data, and monitoring for suspicious activity related to XML parsing operations. Security teams should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools that can detect insecure XML parser configurations across all Jenkins plugins and components to prevent similar issues from occurring in other parts of the infrastructure.