CVE-2019-16556 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Jenkins Rundeck Plugin versions up to 3.6.5 store credentials without encryption, potentially exposing them to unauthorized users.

Understanding CVE-2019-16556

This CVE involves a security vulnerability in the Jenkins Rundeck Plugin that allows unauthorized access to stored credentials.

What is CVE-2019-16556?

The Jenkins Rundeck Plugin, specifically versions 3.6.5 and earlier, saves credentials without encryption in configuration files, making them accessible to users with specific permissions or file system access.

The Impact of CVE-2019-16556

The vulnerability enables users with Extended Read permission or master file system access to view sensitive credentials stored in plain text, posing a significant security risk.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-16556

The technical aspects of the vulnerability are as follows:

Vulnerability Description

The Jenkins Rundeck Plugin up to version 3.6.5 stores credentials without encryption in configuration files, allowing unauthorized access.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Jenkins Rundeck Plugin
Vendor: Jenkins project
Versions Affected: <= 3.6.5

Exploitation Mechanism

Unauthorized users with specific permissions or file system access can exploit this vulnerability to view stored credentials.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2019-16556, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade to a patched version that encrypts stored credentials.
Restrict access to configuration files containing sensitive information.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement a least privilege access policy to limit who can view or modify credentials.
Regularly review and update security configurations to prevent similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches provided by Jenkins project to fix the encryption issue and enhance credential protection.