CVE-2022-27201 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Jenkins Semantic Versioning Plugin 1.13 and earlier versions are affected by a vulnerability that allows attackers with control over agent processes to manipulate Jenkins to parse a specially crafted file, leading to information extraction or server-side request forgery.

Understanding CVE-2022-27201

This CVE affects the Jenkins Semantic Versioning Plugin, impacting versions up to 1.13. It poses a significant risk to Jenkins environments due to the lack of restrictions on agent message execution and file path parsing.

What is CVE-2022-27201?

CVE-2022-27201 is a vulnerability in the Jenkins Semantic Versioning Plugin that enables malicious actors to exploit Jenkins processes by using crafted files to extract sensitive information or perform server-side request forgery attacks.

The Impact of CVE-2022-27201

The impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows threat actors to misuse Jenkins functionalities to extract secrets or manipulate server requests, posing a risk to the confidentiality and integrity of Jenkins applications and data.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-27201

Vulnerability Description

Jenkins Semantic Versioning Plugin versions 1.13 and earlier fail to restrict the execution of controller/agent messages to agents. This flaw, combined with unrestricted file path parsing, enables attackers to trick Jenkins into processing malicious files for unauthorized access.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects Jenkins Semantic Versioning Plugin versions less than or equal to 1.13. Systems with these versions are at risk of exploitation if not promptly addressed.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers with control over agent processes can orchestrate specially crafted files that leverage external entities to extract sensitive data or perform malicious activities through Jenkins, potentially leading to data breaches or unauthorized actions.

Mitigation and Prevention

Taking immediate steps to secure Jenkins environments against CVE-2022-27201 is crucial to prevent unauthorized access and data leaks.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Jenkins Semantic Versioning Plugin to a non-vulnerable version above 1.13.
Implement strict access controls and monitoring to detect unauthorized file parsing attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly review and update Jenkins plugins and dependencies to address security vulnerabilities promptly.
Conduct security assessments and penetration testing to identify and remediate potential weaknesses in Jenkins configurations.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from Jenkins and promptly apply patches or updates to mitigate known vulnerabilities.