CVE-2023-4302 in Fortify Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 08/22/2023
A missing permission check in Jenkins Fortify Plugin 22.1.38 and earlier allows attackers with Overall/Read 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 • 09/14/2023
The vulnerability described in CVE-2023-4302 represents a critical authorization bypass flaw within the Jenkins Fortify Plugin version 22.1.38 and earlier. This issue stems from a missing permission check that allows unprivileged users to exploit a legitimate plugin function to access systems they should not be authorized to reach. The vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's ability to connect to external systems using stored credentials, creating a pathway for attackers to capture sensitive authentication information. The flaw exists because the plugin fails to validate whether the requesting user possesses sufficient privileges to perform the credential retrieval operation, despite the user already having the basic Overall/Read permission level.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the Fortify plugin's credential handling mechanism where it accepts attacker-specified URL parameters and credential identifiers. When a user with Overall/Read permission invokes the plugin functionality, the system processes the request without proper authorization validation. This missing validation allows attackers to manipulate the plugin's behavior to connect to arbitrary external systems using credentials stored within Jenkins. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages existing legitimate permissions to perform unauthorized actions, making it difficult to detect through standard security monitoring. According to CWE-284, this represents an improper access control issue where the system fails to properly enforce authorization checks, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which involves credential access through exploitation of legitimate system access.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-4302 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it enables attackers to potentially compromise entire credential repositories within Jenkins. An attacker who gains access to a system with Overall/Read permissions can use this vulnerability to extract stored credentials for various systems including databases, cloud services, and other external infrastructure. This creates a significant risk of lateral movement within the organization's network, as stolen credentials can be used to access additional systems and escalate privileges. The vulnerability essentially transforms a read-only permission level into a credential harvesting capability, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that store sensitive authentication information within their Jenkins instances. The attack vector is relatively straightforward, requiring only that an attacker obtain a basic read permission level through other means, then leverage the plugin to extract stored credentials.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-4302 must address both the immediate vulnerability and broader security practices within Jenkins environments. Organizations should immediately upgrade to Jenkins Fortify Plugin version 22.1.39 or later, which includes the necessary permission checks to prevent unauthorized credential access. Additionally, administrators should implement principle of least privilege by reviewing and restricting Overall/Read permissions to only those users who absolutely require them for operational purposes. The use of Jenkins' built-in security features such as role-based access control and credential binding should be enforced to limit the scope of potential damage. Network segmentation and monitoring of plugin activity can help detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also conduct regular audits of stored credentials and implement credential rotation policies to minimize the impact if credentials are compromised. This vulnerability highlights the importance of proper authorization validation in security-critical components and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1555 which addresses credential access through exploitation of system vulnerabilities. The fix implemented in newer versions addresses the root cause by introducing mandatory permission validation before credential retrieval operations can be executed, preventing the unauthorized access pattern that enabled the vulnerability.