CVE-2023-37946 in OpenShift Login Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/12/2023
Jenkins OpenShift Login Plugin 1.1.0.227.v27e08dfb_1a_20 and earlier does not invalidate the previous session on login.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/02/2023
The Jenkins OpenShift Login Plugin vulnerability CVE-2023-37946 represents a critical session management flaw that undermines the security of authentication mechanisms within Jenkins environments. This vulnerability affects versions 1.1.0.227.v27e08dfb_1a_20 and earlier, exposing systems to potential session hijacking and unauthorized access scenarios. The core issue lies in the plugin's failure to properly invalidate existing user sessions when new authentication occurs, creating a persistent security gap that can be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical flaw manifests as a session fixation vulnerability where users can maintain access to their previous authenticated session even after logging in with new credentials. This behavior violates fundamental security principles of session management and creates opportunities for attackers to extend their access beyond the intended authentication boundaries. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically impacts the authentication flow between Jenkins and OpenShift identity management systems, making it particularly dangerous in containerized environments where Jenkins often serves as a central automation hub.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for organizations relying on Jenkins for continuous integration and deployment workflows. Attackers who gain access to a user session can potentially maintain persistence in the system even after legitimate users attempt to log out or change their credentials. This behavior directly violates the principle of least privilege and can lead to unauthorized code deployments, configuration changes, and access to sensitive build artifacts. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where Jenkins integrates with OpenShift clusters, as it could enable attackers to escalate privileges and gain access to containerized applications and infrastructure.
The security implications extend beyond simple session management issues and can be categorized under CWE-613, which addresses insufficient session expiration, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1565.001 for credential access through session hijacking. Organizations using affected Jenkins versions should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to the patched plugin version, implementing additional session monitoring controls, and reviewing existing session management policies. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper session lifecycle management in authentication systems and highlights the need for regular security assessments of third-party plugins that handle sensitive authentication flows. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as session timeout mechanisms, multi-factor authentication, and continuous monitoring of authentication events to detect and prevent unauthorized session usage.