CVE-2023-4301 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE-2023-4301 involves a cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in Jenkins Fortify Plugin version 22.1.38 and earlier. This vulnerability allows attackers to connect to a specific URL with user-defined credentials, potentially compromising stored credentials within Jenkins.

Understanding CVE-2023-4301

This section delves into the specific details and impact of the CVE-2023-4301 vulnerability.

What is CVE-2023-4301?

The CVE-2023-4301 vulnerability is a CSRF exploit found in Jenkins Fortify Plugin versions up to 22.1.38. It enables malicious actors to connect to a designated URL using custom credentials, leading to potential unauthorized access to sensitive data stored in Jenkins.

The Impact of CVE-2023-4301

With a base severity of "MEDIUM" and a CVSS base score of 4.2, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to affected systems. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to capture credentials stored within Jenkins, potentially leading to unauthorized access and data breaches.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-4301

In this section, we explore the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The CSRF vulnerability in Jenkins Fortify Plugin versions prior to 22.1.38 allows attackers to leverage attacker-specified credentials to access a specified URL, potentially compromising credentials stored within Jenkins.

Affected Systems and Versions

The Jenkins Fortify Plugin versions 22.1.38 and earlier are affected by this vulnerability. Users utilizing these versions are at risk of credential exposure and unauthorized access.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by manipulating user credentials to connect to a specified URL, allowing them to capture and misuse sensitive credentials stored in Jenkins.

Mitigation and Prevention

Taking immediate steps and implementing long-term security practices are crucial in mitigating the risks associated with CVE-2023-4301.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users and administrators are advised to update Jenkins Fortify Plugin to a secure version beyond 22.1.38 to mitigate the CSRF vulnerability. Additionally, monitoring and restricting privileged access can help prevent unauthorized credential capture.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing robust access control measures, regular security audits, and employee security awareness training can enhance overall security posture and prevent future exploits.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of security patches and updates provided by Jenkins to address known vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-4301. Staying vigilant and proactive in system maintenance is essential to thwart potential security threats.