CVE-2023-41931 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability has been identified in Jenkins Job Configuration History Plugin version 1227.v7a_79fc4dc01f and earlier. This vulnerability arises from improper sanitization of timestamp values in history entries, potentially leading to XSS attacks.

Understanding CVE-2023-41931

This section delves into the key details regarding CVE-2023-41931.

What is CVE-2023-41931?

CVE-2023-41931 is a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability found in Jenkins Job Configuration History Plugin versions 1227.v7a_79fc4dc01f and prior. The flaw originates from the lack of proper sanitization or escape mechanisms for timestamp values in history entries displayed on the history view.

The Impact of CVE-2023-41931

The presence of this vulnerability could allow attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. This could result in various attacks, including session hijacking, defacement, or the theft of sensitive information.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-41931

This section elaborates on the technical aspects of CVE-2023-41931.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Jenkins Job Configuration History Plugin version 1227.v7a_79fc4dc01f and earlier stems from the failure to properly sanitize or escape timestamp values in history entries displayed on the history view. This oversight enables attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of a user's session.

Affected Systems and Versions

The impacted product is the Jenkins Job Configuration History Plugin. Specifically, versions 1227.v7a_79fc4dc01f and earlier are susceptible to this stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

By leveraging the lack of input validation in timestamp values in history entries, threat actors can craft specially-crafted payloads containing malicious scripts. When these payloads are rendered on the history view page, the malicious code gets executed in the user's browser, potentially compromising sensitive data or user sessions.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section provides insights into mitigating the risks associated with CVE-2023-41931.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update the Jenkins Job Configuration History Plugin to a patched version that addresses the XSS vulnerability. It is imperative to apply security patches promptly to prevent exploitation by malicious actors.

Long-Term Security Practices

In the long term, organizations should emphasize secure coding practices, including input validation and output encoding, to prevent XSS vulnerabilities. Regular security audits and code reviews can help identify and remediate such issues proactively.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from Jenkins Project and promptly apply relevant patches or updates to ensure the continued security of your systems and applications.