CVE-2023-37943 in Active Directory Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/12/2023
Jenkins Active Directory Plugin 2.30 and earlier ignores the "Require TLS" and "StartTls" options and always performs the connection test to Active directory unencrypted, allowing attackers able to capture network traffic between the Jenkins controller and Active Directory servers to obtain Active Directory credentials.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/02/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-37943 affects the Jenkins Active Directory Plugin version 2.30 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw in authentication and connection handling mechanisms. This issue stems from improper implementation of secure communication protocols when establishing connections between the Jenkins controller and Active Directory servers. The plugin fails to respect critical security configurations that should enforce encrypted communication channels, creating a significant attack surface that exposes sensitive authentication data to interception.
The technical flaw manifests in the plugin's connection testing process where it consistently performs unencrypted communication regardless of the configured security settings. When administrators configure the "Require TLS" and "StartTls" options within the Active Directory plugin, these settings are completely ignored during the connection test phase. This behavior violates fundamental security principles and creates a scenario where credential information flows through the network without encryption, making it susceptible to man-in-the-middle attacks and network traffic interception.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability allows attackers with network access to capture authentication credentials using standard packet capture tools such as tcpdump or Wireshark. The unencrypted transmission of Active Directory credentials means that usernames, passwords, and potentially other authentication tokens can be readily extracted from network traffic. This exposure can lead to unauthorized access to corporate directories, privilege escalation within the Jenkins environment, and potential lateral movement throughout the network infrastructure. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where Jenkins controllers are connected to corporate Active Directory services, as it directly compromises the integrity of the authentication process.
The security implications extend beyond simple credential theft to encompass potential system compromise and data breaches. Attackers can leverage captured credentials to authenticate to Active Directory services, potentially gaining access to sensitive corporate resources, user accounts, and system privileges. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-319 (CWE-319: Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information) and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 (Valid Accounts: Cloud Accounts) and T1566.002 (Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment) when considering credential compromise through network interception. Organizations using Jenkins with Active Directory integration face significant risk, particularly in environments where network security monitoring is insufficient or where attackers have access to network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions 2.31 or later where this vulnerability has been addressed. Administrators must also review and enforce proper network security controls including network segmentation, encryption requirements, and monitoring for suspicious network traffic patterns. Additional protective measures include implementing network access controls to limit communication between Jenkins controllers and Active Directory servers, deploying network intrusion detection systems, and conducting regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar configuration issues. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper secure communication implementation and the critical need for thorough testing of security configurations in enterprise authentication systems.