CVE-2021-43578 : Security Advisory and Response

Jenkins Squash TM Publisher (Squash4Jenkins) Plugin 1.0.0 and earlier versions are affected by a critical vulnerability allowing attackers to replace files on the Jenkins controller file system.

Understanding CVE-2021-43578

This CVE involves a security issue in the Jenkins Squash TM Publisher Plugin.

What is CVE-2021-43578?

Jenkins Squash TM Publisher (Squash4Jenkins) Plugin versions up to 1.0.0 allow attackers control over agent processes to manipulate files on the Jenkins controller.

The Impact of CVE-2021-43578

The vulnerability enables attackers to replace specific files on the Jenkins controller with a malicious JSON string, potentially leading to further exploitation or unauthorized access.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-43578

The technical specifics of the CVE-2021-43578 vulnerability are as follows:

Vulnerability Description

The plugin lacks input validation in an agent-to-controller message, which permits attackers with agent process control to substitute arbitrary files on the controller with malicious JSON.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Jenkins Squash TM Publisher (Squash4Jenkins) Plugin
Vendor: Jenkins project
Versions Affected:
<= 1.0.0: Affected
next of 1.0.0: Unknown

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers with control over agent processes can exploit the vulnerability to replace files on the Jenkins controller system, potentially leading to unauthorized data manipulation.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to take immediate steps to respond to and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Squash4Jenkins Plugin to a secure version.
Implement proper file system permissions and access controls.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor for unauthorized file modifications.
Ensure all plugins and software components are up to date.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches provided by Jenkins project.