CVE-2017-2611 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Jenkins versions prior to 2.44 and 2.32.2 have a security vulnerability known as SECURITY-389. This vulnerability allows users with read access to Jenkins to trigger background processes, potentially causing excessive load on the system.

Understanding CVE-2017-2611

This CVE involves an inadequate permission check for periodic processes in Jenkins.

What is CVE-2017-2611?

The vulnerability in Jenkins versions before 2.44 and 2.32.2 allows unauthorized users to initiate background processes.
Specifically, the URLs /workspaceCleanup and /fingerprintCleanup lack permission checks, enabling users to trigger these processes.

The Impact of CVE-2017-2611

Attack Complexity: Low
Attack Vector: Network
Base Score: 4.3 (Medium Severity)
Availability Impact: Low
No Confidentiality or Integrity Impact
Low Privileges Required

Technical Details of CVE-2017-2611

This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

Jenkins versions before 2.44 and 2.32.2 are vulnerable to insufficient permission checks for periodic processes.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Product: Jenkins
Vulnerable Versions: Jenkins 2.44, Jenkins 2.32.2

Exploitation Mechanism

Users with read access to Jenkins can exploit the vulnerability by triggering background processes through specific URLs.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your systems from CVE-2017-2611 with the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Jenkins to version 2.44 or newer to mitigate the vulnerability.
Restrict access to Jenkins to authorized personnel only.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor Jenkins for unusual activities.
Educate users on secure practices to prevent unauthorized access.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates for Jenkins and apply patches promptly to address vulnerabilities.