CVE-2023-32982 in Ansible Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/16/2023
Jenkins Ansible Plugin 204.v8191fd551eb_f and earlier stores extra variables unencrypted in job config.xml files on the Jenkins controller where they can be viewed by users with Item/Extended Read permission or access to the Jenkins controller file system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/24/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-32982 affects the Jenkins Ansible Plugin version 204.v8191fd551eb_f and earlier, presenting a critical security risk through improper handling of sensitive data within the Jenkins ecosystem. This flaw allows attackers with minimal privileges to access confidential information that should remain protected, fundamentally undermining the security posture of automated deployment environments that rely on Jenkins for orchestration. The vulnerability resides in how the plugin manages extra variables during job configuration, creating a persistent exposure that extends beyond typical access controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to encrypt sensitive configuration data stored within the job config.xml files on the Jenkins controller. When administrators configure Ansible jobs through Jenkins, they often include sensitive variables such as passwords, API keys, or credential information that are essential for successful automation but pose significant risks if exposed. The plugin stores these variables in plaintext format within the XML configuration files, which are then accessible to any user with Item/Extended Read permission or direct file system access to the Jenkins controller. This design flaw directly violates security best practices for handling sensitive data and creates a persistent attack surface that remains active throughout the lifecycle of the Jenkins installation.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables unauthorized access to critical deployment credentials and configuration parameters that could compromise entire infrastructure automation pipelines. Attackers with Item/Extended Read permissions can extract sensitive variables from job configurations, potentially gaining access to production environments, database credentials, cloud service keys, or other privileged information required for system compromise. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely heavily on Ansible automation within Jenkins, where job configurations often contain secrets necessary for deploying applications, managing infrastructure, or accessing cloud resources. This exposure creates a significant risk for compliance violations and potential data breaches, particularly in regulated environments where proper handling of sensitive information is mandatory.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and represent a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and data protection requirements established in various cybersecurity frameworks. Organizations using Jenkins with Ansible plugin implementations face potential exploitation through privilege escalation attacks, where low-privilege users can access information that should be restricted to authorized administrators only. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a Credential Access technique through configuration file compromise, where adversaries leverage system-level access to extract authentication materials. This vulnerability also impacts the broader Jenkins security model, as it demonstrates how plugin components can introduce systemic weaknesses that bypass standard access control mechanisms and create persistent exposure points.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-32982 require immediate action to upgrade to the patched version of the Jenkins Ansible Plugin, which addresses the encryption handling of extra variables in job configurations. Organizations should implement additional security controls including regular review of job configurations for sensitive data exposure, enforcement of least privilege access controls, and implementation of automated scanning tools to identify potential credential exposure in configuration files. Security teams must also consider implementing file system monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access attempts to Jenkins controller files and establish proper separation of duties for Jenkins administrator access. The remediation process should include comprehensive review and reconfiguration of existing jobs to ensure that sensitive variables are properly secured through Jenkins' built-in credential management systems rather than stored directly in configuration files. Regular security assessments of plugin installations and configuration management practices are essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of the automation infrastructure.