CVE-2023-37963 in Benchmark Evaluator Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/12/2023
A missing permission check in Jenkins Benchmark Evaluator Plugin 1.0.1 and earlier allows attackers with Overall/Read permission to connect to an attacker-specified URL and to check for the existence of directories, `.csv`, and `.ycsb` files on the Jenkins controller file system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/12/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-37963 represents a critical authorization bypass flaw within the Jenkins Benchmark Evaluator Plugin version 1.0.1 and earlier. This issue stems from a fundamental missing permission check that allows unprivileged users to perform unauthorized file system enumeration operations on the Jenkins controller. The flaw specifically affects users who possess only the Overall/Read permission, which typically should restrict them to viewing basic Jenkins information without access to sensitive system resources. However, this vulnerability enables attackers to exploit the plugin's functionality to probe the underlying file system structure and identify the presence of specific file types including directories, csv files, and ycsb files. The implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with valuable reconnaissance data that could be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control mechanisms in software systems. This weakness manifests as a failure in the plugin's authorization logic where it does not properly validate whether the requesting user has appropriate privileges to perform file system operations. The plugin's design appears to have overlooked the necessity of implementing proper permission validation before executing file system enumeration tasks, creating a pathway for privilege escalation through information gathering. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to map the Jenkins controller's file system landscape without requiring elevated privileges, potentially identifying sensitive configuration files, log files, or other resources that could be exploited in subsequent attacks. This type of vulnerability commonly falls under the ATT&CK technique T1083, which involves discovering files and directories, as it enables adversaries to gather system information through unauthorized file system access.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-37963 is significant for Jenkins environments that rely on the Benchmark Evaluator Plugin. Organizations may experience unauthorized reconnaissance activities that could lead to more serious security incidents, as attackers can systematically identify the presence of specific file types that might contain sensitive information or reveal system configuration details. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where Jenkins controllers store various benchmark data files in predictable locations, as these files often contain performance metrics, test results, or other operational data that could be valuable to attackers. The ability to enumerate directories and identify specific file extensions provides attackers with crucial information about the system's operational structure and data storage patterns, potentially enabling them to craft more targeted attacks against the Jenkins infrastructure. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader reconnaissance phase that could precede more destructive activities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-37963 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the missing permission check. System administrators should ensure that all Jenkins instances running the affected plugin are upgraded to the latest available version that includes proper authorization controls. Additionally, organizations should implement network-level restrictions that limit access to Jenkins controller endpoints, particularly those that expose file system enumeration capabilities. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by carefully reviewing and restricting user permissions within Jenkins, ensuring that users with Overall/Read access cannot perform operations that would expose system file structures. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring and alerting mechanisms to detect unusual file system access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar authorization bypass vulnerabilities in other Jenkins plugins and the core Jenkins platform itself. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of comprehensive permission validation in all plugin components and the necessity of thorough security testing before deployment in production environments.