CVE-2021-21604: Jenkins core Improper Handling Of REST API Vulnerability
HIGHCVE-2021-21604 is a HIGH (CVSS 8.0) improper handling of rest api vulnerability (CWE-502: Deserialization of Untrusted Data) affecting Jenkins core libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves improper handling of rest api xml deserialization errors in jenkins. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 2.263.2, 2.275.
CVE-2021-21604 at a Glance
Security Impact
CVSS: 8.0
The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).
How to Fix CVE-2021-21604
To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Jenkins core dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.
<dependency>
<groupId>org.jenkins-ci.main</groupId>
<artifactId>jenkins-core</artifactId>
<version>2.263.2</version>
</dependency><dependency>
<groupId>org.jenkins-ci.main</groupId>
<artifactId>jenkins-core</artifactId>
<version>2.275</version>
</dependency>Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release:
mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.jenkins-ci.mainHow to Check if You Are Affected
To determine whether your Java application is affected by CVE-2021-21604, inspect your build dependencies using the Maven Dependency Plugin:
mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.jenkins-ci.mainAnalyze the terminal output to locate any version of Jenkins core in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 2.263.2), your application is affected.
Note: The mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.jenkins-ci.main command inspects the resolved dependency graph declared in your project's POM files; it does not perform automated security scanning or inspect runtime dynamic classpaths. Always verify runtime container classpaths and shaded JARs.
Technical Details
Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis
This vulnerability is classified under CWE-502: Deserialization of Untrusted Data, where the product deserializes untrusted data without sufficiently ensuring that the resulting data will be valid. In Jenkins core, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.
Source Advisory Statement
CVE-2021-21604 Affected Jenkins core Versions
2 component(s)| Product / Package | Ecosystem | Affected Versions | Fixed Version |
|---|---|---|---|
|
org.jenkins-ci.main:jenkins-core
|
Maven |
< 2.263.2
|
2.263.2
|
|
org.jenkins-ci.main:jenkins-core
|
Maven |
≥ 2.264
< 2.275
|
2.275
|
References
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CVE-2021-21604?
Which Jenkins core versions are affected?
What version fixes CVE-2021-21604?
Is jenkins-core affected?
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2021-21604?
What CWE is associated with CVE-2021-21604?
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2021-21604?
Machine-readable OSV JSON
OSV v1.5 Schema
{
"schema_version" : "1.4.0",
"id" : "GHSA-qv6f-rcv6-6q3x",
"modified" : "2022-12-13T15:03:32Z",
"published" : "2022-05-24T17:39:12Z",
"aliases" : [ "CVE-2021-21604" ],
"summary" : "Improper handling of REST API XML deserialization errors in Jenkins",
"details" : "Jenkins provides XML REST APIs to configure views, jobs, and other items. When deserialization fails because of invalid data, Jenkins 2.274 and earlier, LTS 2.263.1 and earlier stores invalid object references created through these endpoints in the Old Data Monitor. If an administrator discards the old data, some erroneous data submitted to these endpoints may be persisted.\n\nThis allows attackers with View/Create, Job/Create, Agent/Create, or their respective */Configure permissions to inject crafted content into Old Data Monitor that results in the instantiation of potentially unsafe objects when discarded by an administrator.\\n\\nJenkins 2.275, LTS 2.263.2 does not record submissions from users in Old Data Monitor anymore.\n\nIn case of problems, the [Java system properties](https://www.jenkins.io/doc/book/managing/system-properties/) `hudson.util.RobustReflectionConverter.recordFailuresForAdmins` and `hudson.util.RobustReflectionConverter.recordFailuresForAllAuthentications` can be set to true to record configuration data submissions from administrators or all users, partially or completely disabling this fix.",
"severity" : [ {
"type" : "CVSS_V3",
"score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H"
} ],
"affected" : [ {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "Maven",
"name" : "org.jenkins-ci.main:jenkins-core"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "0"
}, {
"fixed" : "2.263.2"
} ]
} ],
"database_specific" : {
"last_known_affected_version_range" : "<= 2.263.1"
}
}, {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "Maven",
"name" : "org.jenkins-ci.main:jenkins-core"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "2.264"
}, {
"fixed" : "2.275"
} ]
} ],
"database_specific" : {
"last_known_affected_version_range" : "<= 2.274"
}
} ],
"references" : [ {
"type" : "ADVISORY",
"url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-21604"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/jenkinsci/jenkins/commit/f1056bd814fc1f19ea241a101d649b8c143807e7"
}, {
"type" : "PACKAGE",
"url" : "https://github.com/jenkinsci/jenkins"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://www.jenkins.io/security/advisory/2021-01-13/#SECURITY-1923"
} ],
"database_specific" : {
"cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-502" ],
"severity" : "HIGH",
"github_reviewed" : true,
"github_reviewed_at" : "2022-06-23T06:51:53Z",
"nvd_published_at" : "2021-01-13T16:15:00Z"
}
}