CVE-2023-41944 in AWS CodeCommit Trigger Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 09/06/2023
Jenkins AWS CodeCommit Trigger Plugin 3.0.12 and earlier does not escape the queue name parameter passed to a form validation URL, when rendering an error message, resulting in an HTML injection vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/02/2023
The Jenkins AWS CodeCommit Trigger Plugin vulnerability CVE-2023-41944 represents a critical HTML injection flaw that emerges from insufficient input sanitization within the plugin's form validation mechanism. This vulnerability affects versions 3.0.12 and earlier of the AWS CodeCommit Trigger Plugin, which integrates Jenkins with Amazon Web Services CodeCommit repositories for automated build triggering. The flaw specifically manifests when the plugin processes queue name parameters during form validation, failing to properly escape user-supplied input before incorporating it into HTML error messages displayed to users. This oversight creates a pathway for malicious actors to inject arbitrary HTML content into the plugin's user interface, potentially enabling cross-site scripting attacks and unauthorized code execution within the context of the affected Jenkins instance. The vulnerability resides in the plugin's improper handling of user-provided data during validation processes, where input validation occurs but output escaping is inadequate.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to submit a malicious queue name parameter that contains HTML or JavaScript content through the plugin's configuration interface. When the plugin validates this input and encounters an error condition, it renders the unescaped queue name value directly into an HTML error message displayed to the user. This creates a classic HTML injection scenario where attacker-controlled content can be executed within the browser context of authenticated Jenkins users. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws, and specifically demonstrates weaknesses in input validation and output escaping mechanisms. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious scripts in the context of the Jenkins web application, potentially leading to privilege escalation, data exfiltration, or unauthorized access to build systems. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires minimal user interaction beyond navigating to the affected plugin configuration page, making it a significant risk for Jenkins administrators who may not be aware of the specific vulnerability.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-41944 extends beyond simple HTML injection, as it can enable more sophisticated attacks within the Jenkins ecosystem. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially execute arbitrary JavaScript code that could access Jenkins' API, manipulate build configurations, or even escalate privileges to perform actions that the authenticated user is authorized to perform. This risk is compounded by the fact that Jenkins is commonly used as a central automation hub in CI/CD pipelines, making it a valuable target for attackers seeking to compromise continuous integration processes. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on Jenkins for automated software delivery, particularly those using AWS CodeCommit as their source control system, as it provides a direct attack surface for compromising the build infrastructure. Security teams must consider this vulnerability in the context of the broader ATT&CK framework where such flaws can enable initial access and privilege escalation through web application attacks, potentially leading to supply chain compromises or further network infiltration.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to Jenkins AWS CodeCommit Trigger Plugin version 3.0.13 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the HTML injection vulnerability. System administrators should implement network monitoring to detect suspicious requests containing HTML or JavaScript payloads in plugin configuration endpoints, and conduct thorough security assessments of Jenkins instances to identify other potential vulnerabilities in the CI/CD pipeline. The fix implemented by the plugin developers typically involves proper HTML escaping of user-supplied parameters before rendering them in error messages, ensuring that special characters are encoded to prevent interpretation as HTML or script content. Security teams should also review their Jenkins plugin management practices to ensure timely updates and implement automated patch management processes for continuous integration systems. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls or security monitoring solutions that can detect and block attempts to exploit such vulnerabilities in real-time, while also establishing incident response procedures for potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of input validation and output escaping in web applications, particularly in systems that handle sensitive configuration data and automated build processes.