CVE-2021-43576 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2021-43576 affecting Jenkins pom2config Plugin versions <= 1.2. Understand the impact, exploitation mechanism, and mitigation steps for this XXE vulnerability.
Jenkins pom2config Plugin 1.2 and earlier versions are susceptible to XML external entity (XXE) attacks due to improper configuration of its XML parser.
Understanding CVE-2021-43576
Jenkins pom2config Plugin is affected by a vulnerability allowing attackers to extract secrets from the Jenkins controller or conduct server-side request forgery.
What is CVE-2021-43576?
The vulnerability in Jenkins pom2config Plugin version 1.2 and earlier enables attackers with specific permissions to exploit XXE attacks through crafted XML files.
The Impact of CVE-2021-43576
- Attackers with Overall/Read and Item/Read permissions can extract secrets from Jenkins or perform server-side request forgery.
- Jenkins may parse malicious XML files containing external entities, leading to unauthorized data extraction.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-43576
Jenkins pom2config Plugin's vulnerability is explained further below.
Vulnerability Description
Jenkins pom2config Plugin 1.2 and earlier fail to secure the XML parser, allowing for XXE attacks and potential data extraction by malicious entities.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: Jenkins pom2config Plugin
- Vendor: Jenkins project
- Vulnerable Versions: <= 1.2, next of 1.2 (exact version unspecified)
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability permits attackers with specific permissions to exploit XXE attacks by using crafted XML files to extract sensitive data or perform server-side request forgery.
Mitigation and Prevention
Steps to mitigate and prevent the CVE-2021-43576 vulnerability are outlined below.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Upgrade Jenkins pom2config Plugin to a patched version.
- Restrict permissions to reduce the risk of exploiting XXE vulnerabilities.
- Review and monitor XML files parsed by Jenkins for malicious content.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update and patch Jenkins and its plugins.
- Implement strict access controls and permission policies.
- Provide security training to users handling Jenkins configurations.
Patching and Updates
Regularly check for updates and apply patches to Jenkins pom2config Plugin to address security vulnerabilities.