CVE-2020-2316 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Jenkins Static Analysis Utilities Plugin 1.96 and earlier versions are vulnerable to stored cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks due to improper handling of annotation messages in tooltips.

Understanding CVE-2020-2316

This CVE identifies a security issue in Jenkins Static Analysis Utilities Plugin that could be exploited by attackers with Job/Configure permission.

What is CVE-2020-2316?

CVE-2020-2316 is a vulnerability in Jenkins Static Analysis Utilities Plugin versions 1.96 and earlier, allowing stored cross-site scripting attacks.

The Impact of CVE-2020-2316

The vulnerability enables attackers with specific permissions to execute malicious scripts within the context of the affected Jenkins instance, potentially compromising sensitive data.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-2316

Jenkins Static Analysis Utilities Plugin is susceptible to stored XSS attacks due to unescaped annotation messages in tooltips.

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from the failure to properly escape annotation messages, leading to the execution of arbitrary scripts by malicious actors.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Jenkins Static Analysis Utilities Plugin
Vendor: Jenkins project
Versions Affected: <= 1.96, next of 1.96 (specific version unspecified)

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers with Job/Configure permission can exploit this vulnerability by injecting malicious scripts into annotation messages, which are not properly sanitized.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to take immediate steps to address and prevent exploitation of CVE-2020-2316.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Jenkins Static Analysis Utilities Plugin to a patched version that addresses the XSS vulnerability.
Restrict Job/Configure permissions to trusted users to mitigate the risk of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and update Jenkins plugins to ensure the latest security patches are applied.
Educate users on secure coding practices to prevent XSS vulnerabilities in custom plugins.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of security patches and updates provided by Jenkins to address known vulnerabilities.