CVE-2023-40340 in NodeJS Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 08/16/2023
Jenkins NodeJS Plugin 1.6.0 and earlier does not properly mask (i.e., replace with asterisks) credentials specified in the Npm config file in Pipeline build logs.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/10/2023
The Jenkins NodeJS Plugin vulnerability CVE-2023-40340 represents a critical information disclosure flaw that affects versions 1.6.0 and earlier of the plugin. This vulnerability specifically addresses the improper handling of credentials within npm configuration files during pipeline build processes, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on Jenkins for continuous integration and deployment workflows. The issue manifests when Jenkins fails to adequately mask sensitive credential information that is logged during pipeline execution, potentially exposing authentication tokens, API keys, and other confidential data to unauthorized parties who may have access to build logs.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input sanitization and output masking mechanisms within the NodeJS plugin's logging functionality. When Jenkins executes pipeline builds that involve npm configuration files containing credentials, the plugin does not properly sanitize these sensitive values before writing them to build logs. This behavior violates fundamental security principles for credential handling and logging practices, as it allows potentially sensitive information to be exposed through standard logging mechanisms that are typically accessible to various system users and administrators. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-200 as "Information Exposure" and specifically relates to CWE-522 "Insufficiently Protected Credentials" within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, creating cascading security risks for development environments and production systems. Attackers who gain access to Jenkins build logs through various means such as unauthorized user accounts, compromised systems, or insecure log storage mechanisms can extract authentication tokens, API keys, and other sensitive credentials that may be used to access external services, repositories, or cloud platforms. This exposure can lead to privilege escalation, unauthorized access to source code repositories, deployment system compromise, and potential data breaches. The vulnerability affects the principle of least privilege and violates security best practices outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, particularly in the areas of identity management and information protection.
Organizations utilizing Jenkins with the affected NodeJS Plugin versions face significant risk mitigation challenges that require immediate attention and comprehensive remediation strategies. The primary mitigation involves upgrading to a patched version of the NodeJS Plugin where proper credential masking has been implemented. Additionally, administrators should implement log access controls to restrict who can view build logs, particularly those containing potentially sensitive information. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1566 "Phishing" and T1528 "Steal Application Access Token" as attackers can leverage exposed credentials to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to additional systems. Security teams should also consider implementing automated log scanning tools that can identify and alert on potential credential exposure in real-time, complementing the manual remediation efforts required to address this vulnerability effectively.