CVE-2023-28668
📋 TL;DR
The Jenkins Role-based Authorization Strategy Plugin vulnerability allows users to retain permissions even after they've been disabled in the system configuration. This affects all Jenkins instances using the vulnerable plugin version, potentially enabling unauthorized access to sensitive Jenkins resources.
💻 Affected Systems
- Jenkins Role-based Authorization Strategy Plugin
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Attackers with previously revoked permissions can regain access to Jenkins, potentially executing arbitrary code, accessing sensitive data, or disrupting CI/CD pipelines.
Likely Case
Former users or service accounts with disabled permissions can access Jenkins resources they shouldn't, leading to unauthorized pipeline execution or configuration changes.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and monitoring, impact is limited to temporary unauthorized access that can be detected and remediated.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires a user account that previously had permissions disabled. No authentication bypass is involved.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 588.vc4a_64173a_3a_
Vendor Advisory: https://www.jenkins.io/security/advisory/2023-03-21/#SECURITY-3053
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Navigate to Jenkins Manage Jenkins > Manage Plugins
2. Go to Available tab and search for 'Role-based Authorization Strategy'
3. Update to version 588.vc4a_64173a_3a_ or later
4. Restart Jenkins after installation
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Role-based Authorization Strategy Plugin
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patching is possible
Navigate to Manage Jenkins > Manage Plugins > Installed
Find 'Role-based Authorization Strategy' and click Disable
Audit and Remove User Permissions
allManually audit all user permissions and remove any unnecessary access
Navigate to Manage Jenkins > Manage and Assign Roles
Review all role assignments and remove unnecessary permissions
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict network segmentation to isolate Jenkins from sensitive systems
- Enable detailed audit logging and monitor for unauthorized access attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check plugin version in Manage Jenkins > Manage Plugins > Installed tab. Look for Role-based Authorization Strategy version 587.v2872c41fa_e51 or earlier.Check Version:
curl -s http://jenkins-url/pluginManager/api/json?depth=1 | grep -o '"shortName":"role-strategy","version":"[^"]*"'Verify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is 588.vc4a_64173a_3a_ or later in Manage Jenkins > Manage Plugins > Installed tab.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unauthorized access attempts by users with disabled permissions
- Permission changes in audit logs without corresponding configuration updates
Network Indicators:
- Unexpected Jenkins API calls from users with revoked permissions
SIEM Query:
source="jenkins.log" AND ("permission denied" OR "unauthorized access") AND user IN (list_of_disabled_users)