CVE-2023-4303 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE-2023-4303, assigned by OpenText, was published on August 21, 2023. It affects the Jenkins Fortify Plugin versions 22.1.38 and earlier, leading to an HTML injection vulnerability. The vulnerability was discovered by Kevin Guerroudj from CloudBees, Inc.

Understanding CVE-2023-4303

This section delves into the details of the HTML injection vulnerability present in the Jenkins Fortify Plugin.

What is CVE-2023-4303?

The CVE-2023-4303 vulnerability arises from Jenkins Fortify Plugin versions 22.1.38 and earlier failing to escape the error message for a form validation method. This oversight results in an HTML injection vulnerability, posing a risk to the security and integrity of the system.

The Impact of CVE-2023-4303

With a CVSS v3.1 base score of 4.3 (Medium severity), this vulnerability could allow an attacker to inject malicious HTML code into the system, potentially leading to cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks. It could compromise user data and system integrity if exploited.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-4303

Let's explore the technical aspects of this vulnerability in detail.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the Jenkins Fortify Plugin version 22.1.38 and earlier stems from the lack of proper escaping of the error message for a form validation method. This oversight opens the door to HTML injection attacks by malicious entities.

Affected Systems and Versions

The Jenkins Fortify Plugin versions 22.1.38 and earlier are vulnerable to this HTML injection issue. Users utilizing these versions are at risk of exploitation and should take immediate action to mitigate the threat.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability allows attackers to craft malicious input that, when processed by the affected form validation method, gets executed as HTML code within the application context. This could enable various malicious activities, including XSS attacks.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting your systems from CVE-2023-4303 requires prompt action and adherence to security best practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users should upgrade to a patched version of the Jenkins Fortify Plugin that addresses this HTML injection vulnerability.
Implement input validation and output encoding practices to mitigate the risk of HTML injection attacks.
Stay informed about security advisories and updates from Jenkins Project to address vulnerabilities promptly.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly audit and review code for proper input validation mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.
Educate developers and administrators on secure coding practices to minimize the risk of introducing security flaws.
Consider employing web application firewalls and security testing tools to enhance the security posture of your systems.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that your Jenkins Fortify Plugin is updated to a version that includes the necessary security patches to fix the HTML injection vulnerability. Regularly monitor for updates and apply them promptly to maintain a secure environment.