CVE-2023-37944 in Datadog Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/12/2023
A missing permission check in Jenkins Datadog Plugin 5.4.1 and earlier allows attackers with Overall/Read permission to connect to an attacker-specified URL using attacker-specified credentials IDs obtained through another method, capturing credentials stored in Jenkins.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/02/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-37944 represents a critical authorization bypass flaw within the Jenkins Datadog Plugin version 5.4.1 and earlier. This issue stems from a missing permission check that fundamentally undermines the security model of Jenkins by allowing unauthorized access to credential storage mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically affects systems where the Datadog plugin is installed and configured, creating a pathway for attackers to exploit legitimate read permissions and escalate their access privileges.
The technical flaw manifests as an insufficient validation mechanism that fails to verify whether an authenticated user possesses the appropriate authorization levels to access credential information stored within Jenkins. When an attacker with only Overall/Read permission attempts to interact with the Datadog plugin functionality, the system does not properly validate whether this limited access should extend to credential retrieval operations. This oversight creates a direct attack vector where malicious actors can specify arbitrary URLs and leverage attacker-specified credentials IDs to establish connections that would normally require elevated privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables attackers to potentially compromise entire Jenkins environments through lateral movement and privilege escalation. The ability to capture credentials stored in Jenkins opens pathways for attackers to access not only the Datadog monitoring systems but also other integrated services and applications that rely on the same credential store. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that use Jenkins as a central automation platform where multiple services depend on shared authentication mechanisms and credential repositories.
Security professionals should note this vulnerability aligns with CWE-639 Access Control Bypass, which specifically addresses scenarios where insufficient authorization checks allow unauthorized access to resources. The attack pattern follows ATT&CK technique T1555.003 Credentials from Password Stores, as it enables adversaries to extract stored credentials through legitimate plugin interfaces. Organizations implementing the Datadog plugin in their Jenkins environments must urgently assess their current configurations and implement immediate mitigations to prevent exploitation. The recommended approach involves updating to versions of the Datadog plugin that address this permission check deficiency, while also implementing additional monitoring and access controls to detect anomalous credential usage patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.