CVE-2023-28681 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE record was published on March 23, 2023, by Jenkins. The vulnerability affects Jenkins Visual Studio Code Metrics Plugin versions 1.7 and earlier, exposing them to XML external entity (XXE) attacks.

Understanding CVE-2023-28681

This section will delve into the details of CVE-2023-28681, explaining the nature of the vulnerability and its potential impact.

What is CVE-2023-28681?

CVE-2023-28681 refers to a vulnerability in Jenkins Visual Studio Code Metrics Plugin versions 1.7 and earlier. The plugin fails to configure its XML parser properly, making it susceptible to XML external entity (XXE) attacks. This can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data or system information.

The Impact of CVE-2023-28681

The impact of this vulnerability could be severe, as it allows threat actors to exploit the XML parser in the affected Jenkins plugin to execute XXE attacks. This could result in the disclosure of confidential data, system compromise, or unauthorized access to resources.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-28681

In this section, we will explore the technical aspects of CVE-2023-28681, including the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Jenkins Visual Studio Code Metrics Plugin versions 1.7 and earlier arises from the lack of proper configuration for the XML parser, which makes the plugin vulnerable to XML external entity (XXE) attacks. Attackers can leverage this weakness to manipulate XML input and potentially access unauthorized data.

Affected Systems and Versions

The Jenkins Visual Studio Code Metrics Plugin versions 1.7 and earlier are impacted by CVE-2023-28681. Users utilizing these versions of the plugin are at risk of exploitation if adequate security measures are not implemented.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting CVE-2023-28681 involves crafting malicious XML payloads that contain external entities and sending them to the vulnerable Jenkins Visual Studio Code Metrics Plugin. By manipulating the XML input, attackers can trigger the XXE vulnerability and extract sensitive information.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-28681, immediate steps should be taken, followed by the adoption of long-term security practices and timely patching.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users should update the Jenkins Visual Studio Code Metrics Plugin to a non-vulnerable version or apply available patches from the vendor.
Consider restricting access to the plugin or limiting its usage until a fix is implemented.
Monitor system logs and network traffic for any suspicious activities that might indicate exploitation attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement secure coding practices to prevent vulnerabilities like XXE in plugins and applications.
Regularly update and patch software components to address known security issues promptly.
Conduct security audits and assessments to identify and remediate potential vulnerabilities proactively.

Patching and Updates

Jenkins users should refer to the Jenkins Security Advisory 2023-03-21 for detailed information on the vulnerability and guidance on patching the affected Visual Studio Code Metrics Plugin. Stay informed about security updates and apply patches as soon as they become available to safeguard systems from known vulnerabilities.