CVE-2021-21602: Jenkins core Arbitrary File Read Vulnerability Vulnerability
MODERATECVE-2021-21602 is a MODERATE (CVSS 6.5) arbitrary file read vulnerability vulnerability (CWE-59: Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')) affecting Jenkins core libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves arbitrary file read vulnerability in workspace browsers in jenkins. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 2.263.2, 2.275.
CVE-2021-21602 at a Glance
Security Impact
CVSS: 6.5
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:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N).
How to Fix CVE-2021-21602
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-2021-21602, 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-59: Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following'), where the product attempts to access a file based on the filename, but it does not properly prevent that filename from identifying a link or shortcut that resolves to an unintended resource. 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-2021-21602 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-2021-21602?
Which Jenkins core versions are affected?
What version fixes CVE-2021-21602?
Is jenkins-core affected?
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2021-21602?
What CWE is associated with CVE-2021-21602?
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2021-21602?
Machine-readable OSV JSON
OSV v1.5 Schema
{
"schema_version" : "1.4.0",
"id" : "GHSA-vpjm-58cw-r8q5",
"modified" : "2022-12-13T15:17:03Z",
"published" : "2022-05-24T17:39:12Z",
"aliases" : [ "CVE-2021-21602" ],
"summary" : "Arbitrary file read vulnerability in workspace browsers in Jenkins",
"details" : "The file browser for workspaces, archived artifacts, and `$JENKINS_HOME/userContent/` follows symbolic links to locations outside the directory being browsed in Jenkins 2.274 and earlier, LTS 2.263.1 and earlier.\n\nThis allows attackers with Job/Workspace permission and the ability to control workspace contents (e.g., with Job/Configure permission or the ability to change SCM contents) to create symbolic links that allow them to access files outside workspaces using the workspace browser.\n\nThis issue is caused by an incomplete fix for SECURITY-904 / CVE-2018-1000862 in the [2018-12-08 security advisory](https://www.jenkins.io/security/advisory/2018-12-05/#SECURITY-904).\n\nJenkins 2.275, LTS 2.263.2 no longer supports symlinks in workspace browsers. While they may still exist on the file system, they are no longer shown on the UI, accessible via URLs, or included in directory content downloads.\n\nThis fix only changes the behavior of the Jenkins UI. Archiving artifacts still behaves as before.",
"severity" : [ {
"type" : "CVSS_V3",
"score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N"
} ],
"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-2021-21602"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/jenkinsci/jenkins/commit/71d2ecf1a4e5303e80815eaa3935c4f2fa3d9104"
}, {
"type" : "PACKAGE",
"url" : "https://github.com/jenkinsci/jenkins"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://www.jenkins.io/security/advisory/2021-01-13/#SECURITY-1452"
} ],
"database_specific" : {
"cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-59" ],
"severity" : "MODERATE",
"github_reviewed" : true,
"github_reviewed_at" : "2022-06-23T06:52:14Z",
"nvd_published_at" : "2021-01-13T16:15:00Z"
}
}