CVE-2020-2246 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Jenkins Valgrind Plugin 0.28 and earlier versions are susceptible to a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability due to improper handling of content in Valgrind XML reports.

Understanding CVE-2020-2246

This CVE involves a security issue in the Jenkins Valgrind Plugin that could be exploited by attackers to execute XSS attacks.

What is CVE-2020-2246?

Jenkins Valgrind Plugin versions up to 0.28 fail to properly escape content within Valgrind XML reports, allowing malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary scripts in the context of a user's browser.

The Impact of CVE-2020-2246

The vulnerability could be exploited by attackers who can manipulate Valgrind XML report contents, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data theft, or other malicious activities.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-2246

The technical aspects of this CVE are as follows:

Vulnerability Description

Jenkins Valgrind Plugin 0.28 and earlier versions do not escape content in Valgrind XML reports, leading to a stored XSS vulnerability.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Jenkins Valgrind Plugin
Vendor: Jenkins project
Vulnerable Versions:
Version <= 0.28 (affected)
Version next of 0.28 (status unknown)

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers with the ability to control Valgrind XML report contents can exploit this vulnerability to execute XSS attacks.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2020-2246, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Jenkins Valgrind Plugin to a patched version.
Monitor and restrict access to Valgrind XML report contents.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all Jenkins plugins to prevent security vulnerabilities.
Implement input validation and output encoding to mitigate XSS risks.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from Jenkins project and promptly apply recommended patches to secure your systems.