CVE-2022-45387 is a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the Jenkins BART Plugin version 1.0.3 and earlier. The vulnerability arises because the plugin fails to properly escape or sanitize the parsed content of build logs before rendering them in the Jenkins user interface. Specifically, malicious script code embedded within build logs can be stored and later executed in the context of the Jenkins UI when viewed by users. This type of vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 (Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation). The CVSS 3.1 base score for this vulnerability is 5.4, indicating a medium severity level. The attack vector is network-based (AV:N), requiring low attack complexity (AC:L), but it requires privileges (PR:L) and user interaction (UI:R) to be exploited. The scope is changed (S:C), meaning the vulnerability affects components beyond the initially vulnerable component. The impact affects confidentiality and integrity to a limited extent (C:L, I:L), but does not impact availability (A:N). No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no official patches or mitigation links have been provided by the vendor at the time of this report. The vulnerability is significant in environments where Jenkins is used for continuous integration and delivery pipelines, especially where multiple users have access to the Jenkins UI and build logs. An attacker able to inject malicious scripts into build logs could execute arbitrary scripts in the context of other users’ browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions within Jenkins. Given that Jenkins is widely used in software development and DevOps workflows, this vulnerability could be leveraged to compromise build pipelines or gain further access within an organization’s infrastructure.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability can be substantial, particularly for those relying heavily on Jenkins for automated build and deployment processes. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive build information, leakage of credentials, or manipulation of build results, undermining the integrity of software delivery. This could result in compromised software artifacts, insertion of malicious code, or disruption of development workflows. Organizations in sectors with strict regulatory requirements, such as finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure, may face compliance risks if build environments are compromised. Additionally, the vulnerability could be exploited to pivot attacks deeper into corporate networks, increasing the risk of broader data breaches or operational disruptions. Since the vulnerability requires some level of authenticated access and user interaction, insider threats or compromised developer accounts pose a higher risk. However, the medium severity rating suggests that while impactful, the vulnerability is not trivially exploitable remotely without some level of access or interaction.

1. Immediate mitigation should include restricting access to the Jenkins UI and build logs to trusted users only, enforcing strict authentication and authorization controls. 2. Implement network segmentation and firewall rules to limit exposure of Jenkins servers to only necessary internal networks. 3. Regularly audit and monitor Jenkins logs and user activities for suspicious behavior indicative of attempted XSS exploitation. 4. Encourage developers and DevOps teams to sanitize and validate all inputs that may be logged or rendered in Jenkins, minimizing injection of malicious content into build logs. 5. Upgrade the Jenkins BART Plugin to the latest version once a patch addressing this vulnerability is released. Until then, consider disabling or removing the plugin if it is not essential. 6. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers on Jenkins UI to reduce the impact of potential XSS attacks by restricting script execution sources. 7. Educate users with access to Jenkins about the risks of clicking on suspicious links or interacting with untrusted build logs. 8. Use security scanning tools to detect and prevent injection of malicious scripts into build logs during the CI/CD process.