CVE-2022-20617: Jenkins Docker Commons RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2022-20617 Overview

CVE-2022-20617 is an OS command injection vulnerability in the Jenkins Docker Commons Plugin version 1.17 and earlier. The vulnerability exists because the plugin does not properly sanitize the name of a Docker image or tag, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary OS commands. This vulnerability can be exploited by attackers who have Item/Configure permission or those who can control the contents of a previously configured job's SCM repository.

Critical Impact

Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary operating system commands on the Jenkins server, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or lateral movement within the network.

Affected Products

• Jenkins Docker Commons Plugin version 1.17 and earlier

Discovery Timeline

• 2022-01-12 - CVE-2022-20617 published to NVD
• 2024-11-21 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2022-20617

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-78 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command), commonly known as OS Command Injection. The Jenkins Docker Commons Plugin is designed to facilitate Docker operations within Jenkins pipelines and jobs. When processing Docker image names or tags, the plugin fails to adequately sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into system commands.

The flaw enables authenticated attackers with relatively low privileges (Item/Configure permission) to inject malicious commands through specially crafted Docker image names or tags. These injected commands execute with the privileges of the Jenkins process, which often runs with elevated permissions in enterprise environments.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2022-20617 lies in the inadequate input validation within the Docker Commons Plugin. When the plugin constructs OS commands involving Docker image names or tags, it directly concatenates user-controlled input without proper sanitization or escaping. This allows shell metacharacters and command separators to be interpreted by the underlying operating system shell, enabling command injection attacks.

Attack Vector

The vulnerability is exploitable over the network by authenticated users with Item/Configure permission. An attacker can craft a malicious Docker image name or tag containing shell metacharacters (such as ;, |, $(), or backticks) that, when processed by the plugin, result in the execution of arbitrary commands on the Jenkins server.

Additionally, attackers who can manipulate the contents of a job's SCM repository (such as a Git repository) can inject malicious image names through configuration files stored in version control, potentially achieving code execution without direct Jenkins UI access.

The vulnerability mechanism involves unsanitized Docker image or tag names being passed to shell commands. When malicious input containing command separators or substitution syntax is processed, the injected commands execute with Jenkins process privileges. Technical details are available in the Jenkins Security Advisory #SECURITY-1878.

Detection Methods for CVE-2022-20617

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual command execution patterns originating from the Jenkins process
• Docker image names or tags in job configurations containing shell metacharacters such as ;, |, &&, $(), or backticks
• Unexpected processes spawned as children of the Jenkins Java process
• Suspicious entries in Jenkins job build logs showing malformed Docker image references

Detection Strategies

• Monitor Jenkins audit logs for configuration changes to Docker-related job settings
• Implement file integrity monitoring on Jenkins configuration files to detect unauthorized modifications
• Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to identify anomalous process execution patterns from Jenkins
• Review SCM repository contents for malicious Jenkinsfile or Docker configuration entries

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose logging for the Docker Commons Plugin to capture image name processing details
• Configure alerts for shell command execution anomalies on Jenkins servers
• Implement network monitoring to detect unusual outbound connections from Jenkins infrastructure
• Regularly audit user permissions, particularly Item/Configure access grants

How to Mitigate CVE-2022-20617

Immediate Actions Required

• Upgrade Jenkins Docker Commons Plugin to version 1.18 or later immediately
• Review all existing job configurations for suspicious Docker image names or tags
• Audit users with Item/Configure permissions and apply principle of least privilege
• Temporarily disable Docker-related jobs if immediate patching is not possible

Patch Information

Jenkins has released a security update addressing this vulnerability. Organizations should upgrade to Docker Commons Plugin version 1.18 or later, which implements proper input sanitization for Docker image names and tags. The fix ensures that user-supplied values are properly escaped before being used in OS commands.

For detailed patch information, refer to the Jenkins Security Advisory #SECURITY-1878 and the Openwall Mailing List Post.

Workarounds

• Restrict Item/Configure permissions to only trusted administrators until the patch can be applied
• Implement strict access controls on SCM repositories used by Jenkins jobs
• Use Jenkins folder-level permissions to isolate Docker-related jobs from less-trusted users
• Consider implementing a Jenkins agent architecture to limit the blast radius of potential exploitation

# Configuration example: Restricting plugin usage until patched
# In Jenkins Script Console, disable the vulnerable plugin temporarily
Jenkins.instance.pluginManager.getPlugin('docker-commons')?.disable()

# Verify current Docker Commons Plugin version
Jenkins.instance.pluginManager.getPlugin('docker-commons')?.getVersion()