CVE-2021-21635: Rest list parameter Cross-Site Scripting Vulnerability

MODERATE
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-x3m6-vcp7-98mr
CVSS 5.4
CWE-79
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2021-21635 is a MODERATE (CVSS 5.4) cross-site scripting vulnerability (CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')) affecting Rest list parameter libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves stored xss vulnerability in jenkins rest list parameter plugin. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 1.3.1.

CVE-2021-21635 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2021-21635
GHSA Identifier GHSA-x3m6-vcp7-98mr
Severity MODERATE
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 5.4
CWE Classification CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')
Affected Product Rest list parameter
Package Ecosystem Maven
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 5.4

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:C/C:L/I:L/A:N).

Attack Vector Network (AV:N)
Attack Complexity Low (AC:L)
Privileges Required Low (PR:L)
User Interaction Required (UI:R)
Scope Changed (S:C)
Confidentiality Low (C:L)
Integrity Low (I:L)
Availability None (A:N)

How to Fix CVE-2021-21635

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Rest list parameter dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.

io.jenkins.plugins:rest-list-parameter fixed: 1.3.1
<dependency>
    <groupId>io.jenkins.plugins</groupId>
    <artifactId>rest-list-parameter</artifactId>
    <version>1.3.1</version>
</dependency>
Verify Direct and Transitive Dependencies

Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release:

mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=io.jenkins.plugins

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Java application is affected by CVE-2021-21635, inspect your build dependencies using the Maven Dependency Plugin:

mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=io.jenkins.plugins

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Rest list parameter in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 1.3.1), your application is affected.

Note: The mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=io.jenkins.plugins 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-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting'), where the product does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes user-controllable input before it is placed in output that is used as a web page that is served to other users. In Rest list parameter, 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

Jenkins REST List Parameter Plugin 1.3.0 and earlier does not escape a parameter name reference in embedded JavaScript. This results in a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability exploitable by attackers with Job/Configure permission. Jenkins REST List Parameter Plugin 1.3.1 no longer identifies a parameter using user-specified content.

CVE-2021-21635 Affected Rest list parameter Versions

1 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
1.3.1
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
io.jenkins.plugins:rest-list-parameter
Maven
< 1.3.1
1.3.1

References

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2021-21635?
CVE-2021-21635 is a security vulnerability in Rest list parameter involving Stored XSS vulnerability in Jenkins REST List Parameter Plugin under CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting').
Which Rest list parameter versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 1.3.1 across affected packages: io.jenkins.plugins:rest-list-parameter.
What version fixes CVE-2021-21635?
Upgrading to 1.3.1 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is rest-list-parameter affected?
Yes, io.jenkins.plugins:rest-list-parameter is affected in releases prior to 1.3.1. Upgrade your dependency to 1.3.1 or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2021-21635?
CVE-2021-21635 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 5.4 (MODERATE) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2021-21635?
CVE-2021-21635 is classified under CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') (The product does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes user-controllable input before it is placed in output that is used as a web page that is served to other users.).
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2021-21635?
Run the dependency tree command: 'mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=io.jenkins.plugins'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.
Machine-readable OSV JSON OSV v1.5 Schema
Normalized schema output
{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-x3m6-vcp7-98mr",
  "modified" : "2023-10-27T13:58:00Z",
  "published" : "2022-05-24T17:45:45Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2021-21635" ],
  "summary" : "Stored XSS vulnerability in Jenkins REST List Parameter Plugin",
  "details" : "Jenkins REST List Parameter Plugin 1.3.0 and earlier does not escape a parameter name reference in embedded JavaScript.\n\nThis results in a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability exploitable by attackers with Job/Configure permission.\n\nJenkins REST List Parameter Plugin 1.3.1 no longer identifies a parameter using user-specified content.",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "io.jenkins.plugins:rest-list-parameter"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "1.3.1"
      } ]
    } ],
    "database_specific" : {
      "last_known_affected_version_range" : "<= 1.3.0"
    }
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-21635"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/jenkinsci/rest-list-parameter-plugin/commit/ff4bb2b44eb05b35bfb68a3a63ac7c5e72cb96b6"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/jenkinsci/rest-list-parameter-plugin"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.jenkins.io/security/advisory/2021-03-30/#SECURITY-2261"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/03/30/1"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-79" ],
    "severity" : "MODERATE",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2022-12-15T17:00:11Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2021-03-30T12:16:00Z"
  }
}