CVE-2019-16546 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

The Jenkins Google Compute Engine Plugin, versions 4.1.1 and earlier, is vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks due to a lack of SSH host key verification when establishing connections with agents.

Understanding CVE-2019-16546

This CVE identifies a security vulnerability in the Jenkins Google Compute Engine Plugin that could potentially lead to man-in-the-middle attacks.

What is CVE-2019-16546?

The Jenkins Google Compute Engine Plugin, versions 4.1.1 and earlier, lacks the functionality to verify SSH host keys when connecting agents created through the plugin, leaving it susceptible to man-in-the-middle attacks.

The Impact of CVE-2019-16546

This vulnerability could allow malicious actors to intercept and manipulate traffic between the Jenkins server and agents, compromising the integrity and confidentiality of data transmitted.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-16546

The following technical details outline the specifics of this CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The Jenkins Google Compute Engine Plugin 4.1.1 and earlier does not verify SSH host keys when connecting agents created by the plugin, enabling man-in-the-middle attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Jenkins Google Compute Engine Plugin
Vendor: Jenkins project
Versions Affected: 4.1.1 and earlier

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability arises from the plugin's failure to validate SSH host keys during agent connections, allowing attackers to intercept communications undetected.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2019-16546 and enhance security measures, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade the Jenkins Google Compute Engine Plugin to a non-vulnerable version.
Implement network-level security controls to detect and prevent man-in-the-middle attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit SSH connections within the Jenkins environment.
Educate users on recognizing and reporting suspicious network activity.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and updates from Jenkins project.
Apply patches promptly to mitigate known vulnerabilities and enhance system security.