CVE-2021-43577 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

Jenkins OWASP Dependency-Check Plugin 5.1.1 and earlier versions are affected by a vulnerability that allows XML external entity (XXE) attacks.

Understanding CVE-2021-43577

What is CVE-2021-43577?

Jenkins OWASP Dependency-Check Plugin versions up to 5.1.1 are vulnerable to XXE attacks due to misconfigured XML parser.

The Impact of CVE-2021-43577

This vulnerability could be exploited by an attacker to gain unauthorized access or extract sensitive information from the system.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-43577

Vulnerability Description

The Jenkins plugin fails to secure the XML parser, making it susceptible to XXE attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Jenkins OWASP Dependency-Check Plugin
Vendor: Jenkins project
Versions Affected: up to 5.1.1

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by injecting malicious XML code to trigger unauthorized access or data leakage.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Jenkins OWASP Dependency-Check Plugin to version higher than 5.1.1.
Configure proper XML parsing settings to prevent XXE attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and update all plugins and dependencies in Jenkins.
Implement strict input validation to prevent injection attacks.
Conduct security audits and code reviews periodically.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of security patches and updates provided by Jenkins to mitigate the CVE-2021-43577 vulnerability.