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Executive Summary
CVE-2024-23897 is a critical vulnerability that has emerged as a significant threat to organizations utilizing Jenkins, a popular open-source automation server. This vulnerability, identified as a path traversal flaw, allows unauthenticated attackers to read arbitrary files on the Jenkins controller file system. The potential impact of this vulnerability is profound, given Jenkins' widespread use in continuous integration and delivery pipelines. This report delves into the technical intricacies of CVE-2024-23897, its exploitation in the wild, and offers strategic mitigation measures to safeguard against potential breaches.
Technical Information
CVE-2024-23897 is a path traversal vulnerability classified under CWE-22 and CWE-27, with a critical CVSS score of 9.8. It affects Jenkins versions 2.441 and earlier, as well as LTS 2.426.2 and earlier. The vulnerability arises from improper handling of the '@' character in command arguments within the Jenkins Command-Line Interface (CLI). This flaw allows attackers to replace the '@' character with the contents of a file, thereby enabling them to read arbitrary files on the Jenkins server. The attack vector is versatile, with HTTP, WebSocket, and SSH being potential avenues for exploitation. However, HTTP and WebSocket are the most likely vectors due to their accessibility and prevalence in Jenkins environments.
The vulnerability's impact varies based on the attacker's authentication status. Unauthenticated attackers can read the first few lines of files, while authenticated users can access entire files. This distinction underscores the importance of robust authentication mechanisms and access controls within Jenkins environments. The vulnerability's discovery has prompted a flurry of activity within the cybersecurity community, with over 45,000 unpatched Jenkins instances identified globally. The vulnerability's exploitation potential is heightened by the availability of proof-of-concept (PoC) exploits and the trading of remote code execution (RCE) exploits for CVE-2024-23897.
Exploitation in the Wild
The exploitation of CVE-2024-23897 has been observed in the wild, with attackers leveraging PoC scanners to identify vulnerable Jenkins instances. Notably, exploitation attempts have been traced back to various regions, with a significant concentration of activity originating from the Netherlands. These attacks have predominantly targeted systems in South Africa, highlighting the global reach and impact of this vulnerability. Indicators of compromise (IOCs) associated with these attacks include unusual file access patterns, unauthorized data exfiltration attempts, and anomalous network traffic indicative of exploitation attempts.
APT Groups using this vulnerability
While specific Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) groups have not been directly linked to the exploitation of CVE-2024-23897, the vulnerability's characteristics make it an attractive target for APT groups seeking unauthorized access to sensitive data. The ability to read arbitrary files on a Jenkins server can provide APT groups with valuable intelligence, enabling them to further their objectives. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure should remain vigilant, as these industries are often targeted by APT groups due to the sensitive nature of the data they handle.
Affected Product Versions
CVE-2024-23897 affects Jenkins versions 2.441 and earlier, as well as LTS 2.426.2 and earlier. Organizations utilizing these versions are at risk and should prioritize patching to mitigate the vulnerability. The widespread use of Jenkins in continuous integration and delivery pipelines underscores the importance of timely updates to prevent potential exploitation.
Workaround and Mitigation
To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2024-23897, organizations should immediately apply the patches released by Jenkins in versions 2.442 and LTS 2.426.3. These updates disable the problematic command parser feature, effectively neutralizing the vulnerability. In addition to patch deployment, organizations should implement network intrusion prevention systems (IPS) to detect and block exploitation attempts. Monitoring and detection solutions, such as Trend Micro's Vision One Endpoint Security and Deep Security, can provide additional layers of protection by identifying and mitigating exploitation attempts in real-time.
References
For further information on CVE-2024-23897, please refer to the following resources: NVD CVE-2024-23897, Jenkins Security Advisory, Trend Micro Analysis, Zscaler Blog on CVE-2024-23897, Packet Storm Security Exploit, and GitHub PoC by 10T4.
Rescana is here for you
At Rescana, we are committed to helping our customers navigate the complex landscape of cybersecurity threats. Our Continuous Threat and Exposure Management (CTEM) platform is designed to provide comprehensive visibility into your organization's security posture, enabling you to proactively identify and mitigate vulnerabilities like CVE-2024-23897. We encourage you to reach out to our cybersecurity team for any questions or assistance you may need. Please contact us at ops@rescana.com for further support.
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