CVE-2023-39154 in Qualys Web App Scanning Connector Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/26/2023
Incorrect permission checks in Jenkins Qualys Web App Scanning Connector Plugin 2.0.10 and earlier allow attackers with global Item/Configure 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 • 07/26/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-39154 represents a critical authorization flaw within the Jenkins Qualys Web App Scanning Connector Plugin version 2.0.10 and earlier. This issue stems from inadequate permission validation mechanisms that permit unauthorized access to credential storage systems. The flaw specifically targets environments where Jenkins administrators have configured the plugin to interact with external web applications through credential-based authentication mechanisms. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can leverage their existing global Item/Configure permissions to establish connections to arbitrary URLs while utilizing credential identifiers that they have obtained through alternative means. The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a failure in access control validation where the plugin does not properly verify whether the requesting user possesses appropriate authorization levels to access the specified credentials. This misconfiguration creates a pathway for privilege escalation and credential theft within Jenkins environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it enables attackers to potentially gain access to multiple systems that rely on the compromised credentials. When Jenkins stores credentials for various external services including but not limited to web applications, databases, and cloud platforms, the compromise of these credentials can lead to widespread lateral movement within an organization's infrastructure. The vulnerability operates under the principle that a user with minimal permissions can exploit the plugin's functionality to retrieve sensitive authentication data from Jenkins' credential store. This attack vector aligns with the CWE-284 access control weakness classification, specifically addressing improper access control mechanisms where insufficient permission checks allow unauthorized access to protected resources. The flaw demonstrates how seemingly isolated plugin components can create significant security risks when proper authorization controls are not implemented.
Security practitioners must recognize that this vulnerability represents a serious threat to Jenkins environments that utilize the Qualys Web App Scanning Connector Plugin. The attack scenario requires minimal privileges to execute, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by users who have legitimate access to configure items within Jenkins but should not have access to credential storage systems. The exploitation process involves connecting to attacker-controlled URLs while leveraging credential identifiers obtained through other means, creating a multi-stage attack that can bypass traditional security controls. Organizations should consider this vulnerability in the context of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly under the credential access and privilege escalation categories, where attackers can harvest credentials from compromised systems. The vulnerability's impact is amplified when Jenkins is integrated with other systems that depend on the stored credentials, potentially enabling attackers to move laterally through interconnected infrastructure components.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-39154 should prioritize immediate patching of the Qualys Web App Scanning Connector Plugin to version 2.0.11 or later, which contains the necessary permission validation fixes. Organizations should also implement strict access control policies that limit the global Item/Configure permissions to only those users who absolutely require such privileges. Additionally, administrators should conduct comprehensive audits of credential storage within Jenkins to identify and isolate any compromised credentials that may have been accessed through this vulnerability. The implementation of principle of least privilege should be enforced across all Jenkins configurations, ensuring that users cannot access credential stores without explicit authorization. Regular security assessments of Jenkins plugins and their associated permissions should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities that may exist within the broader Jenkins ecosystem. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect unusual credential access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing credential rotation procedures and multi-factor authentication mechanisms to reduce the impact of credential compromise in environments where such vulnerabilities may exist.