CVE-2020-2185 : What You Need to Know

Jenkins Amazon EC2 Plugin 1.50.1 and earlier versions are susceptible to man-in-the-middle attacks due to a lack of SSH host key validation when connecting agents.

Understanding CVE-2020-2185

This CVE affects Jenkins Amazon EC2 Plugin versions up to 1.50.1, allowing potential security risks through unauthorized access.

What is CVE-2020-2185?

CVE-2020-2185 highlights a vulnerability in Jenkins Amazon EC2 Plugin versions 1.50.1 and earlier, where SSH host keys are not validated during agent connections, leaving the system open to man-in-the-middle attacks.

The Impact of CVE-2020-2185

The vulnerability enables attackers to intercept communication between Jenkins agents and servers, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data theft, or manipulation of build processes.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-2185

Jenkins Amazon EC2 Plugin 1.50.1 and earlier versions are affected by a specific security flaw.

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from the failure to validate SSH host keys during agent connections, creating a security gap exploitable by malicious actors.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Jenkins Amazon EC2 Plugin
Vendor: Jenkins project
Versions Affected: <= 1.50.1 (unspecified version type: custom)

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by intercepting communication between Jenkins agents and servers, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data or compromising build processes.

Mitigation and Prevention

Taking immediate steps and implementing long-term security practices are crucial to mitigating the risks associated with CVE-2020-2185.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Jenkins Amazon EC2 Plugin to a secure version that addresses the SSH host key validation issue.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activities that could indicate a man-in-the-middle attack.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strict SSH key management practices to ensure secure connections between Jenkins agents and servers.
Regularly update and patch Jenkins plugins and software to prevent known vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches provided by Jenkins project to fix the SSH host key validation issue and enhance overall system security.