CVE-2022-46687 is a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the Jenkins Spring Config Plugin version 2.0.0 and earlier. Jenkins is a widely used open-source automation server primarily utilized for continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines. The Spring Config Plugin integrates Spring Framework configuration management into Jenkins. The vulnerability arises because the plugin fails to properly escape build display names when rendering them in the Spring Config view. This improper sanitization allows an attacker who has the ability to modify build display names to inject malicious JavaScript code that is stored and subsequently executed in the context of users viewing the Spring Config page. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.4 (medium severity), with the vector indicating network attack vector (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), requiring privileges (PR:L), user interaction (UI:R), scope changed (S:C), and low impact on confidentiality and integrity (C:L/I:L), with no impact on availability (A:N). Exploitation requires an attacker to have privileges to change build display names, which implies some level of authenticated access, and the victim must interact with the maliciously crafted build display name by viewing the Spring Config view. While no known exploits are reported in the wild, the vulnerability poses a risk of session hijacking, credential theft, or other malicious actions performed via the victim’s browser session within Jenkins. The scope change indicates that the vulnerability could affect components beyond the initially vulnerable plugin, potentially impacting other parts of Jenkins or integrated systems. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-79, which is the standard classification for cross-site scripting issues. No official patches or fixes were linked in the provided data, so mitigation may require manual configuration changes or plugin updates once available.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability can be significant, especially for those relying heavily on Jenkins for their CI/CD pipelines in software development and deployment. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized script execution within the Jenkins environment, potentially allowing attackers to hijack user sessions, steal credentials, or perform actions on behalf of legitimate users. This could compromise the integrity of build processes, leading to the injection of malicious code into software artifacts or disruption of automated workflows. Given that Jenkins is often integrated with critical infrastructure and production environments, such an attack could cascade into broader operational disruptions. The requirement for attacker privileges to modify build display names limits the attack surface to insiders or compromised accounts, but the medium severity and scope change mean that the vulnerability should not be underestimated. Additionally, the stored nature of the XSS means multiple users could be affected once the malicious payload is stored and viewed. The impact on confidentiality and integrity, although rated low individually, combined with the potential for session hijacking or privilege escalation, could lead to more severe consequences in complex environments. Organizations in sectors with stringent regulatory requirements (e.g., finance, healthcare, critical infrastructure) may face compliance risks if such vulnerabilities are exploited.

1. Restrict permissions strictly within Jenkins to minimize the number of users who can modify build display names, ensuring only trusted personnel have such privileges. 2. Monitor and audit changes to build display names regularly to detect any suspicious or unexpected modifications. 3. Apply input validation and sanitization at the application level where possible, including custom scripts or reverse proxies that can filter out suspicious content in build display names. 4. Upgrade the Jenkins Spring Config Plugin to the latest version once a patch addressing this vulnerability is released by the Jenkins Project. 5. Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers in Jenkins to reduce the impact of XSS by restricting the execution of unauthorized scripts. 6. Educate Jenkins users about the risks of clicking on suspicious links or interacting with untrusted build display names. 7. Consider isolating Jenkins instances or restricting access to the Spring Config view to reduce exposure. 8. Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) for Jenkins accounts to reduce the risk of account compromise that could lead to exploitation. 9. Regularly update Jenkins core and plugins to benefit from security improvements and fixes.