CVE-2023-49654
📋 TL;DR
The Jenkins MATLAB Plugin vulnerability allows attackers to read arbitrary XML files from the Jenkins controller file system due to missing permission checks. This affects Jenkins instances with the MATLAB Plugin version 2.11.0 or earlier installed. Attackers can exploit this to access sensitive configuration files and potentially escalate privileges.
💻 Affected Systems
- Jenkins MATLAB Plugin
📦 What is this software?
Matlab by Jenkins
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Attackers could read sensitive configuration files (like credentials.xml), extract secrets, and use them to gain administrative access to Jenkins, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
Likely Case
Unauthorized users reading sensitive Jenkins configuration files containing credentials, API keys, or other secrets that could be used for further attacks.
If Mitigated
With proper network segmentation and access controls, impact is limited to file read operations within the Jenkins controller's accessible file system.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires some level of access to Jenkins (authenticated user). The vulnerability is in a specific endpoint that should have permission checks but doesn't.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 2.12.0
Vendor Advisory: https://www.jenkins.io/security/advisory/2023-11-29/#SECURITY-3193
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Jenkins MATLAB Plugin to version 2.12.0 or later via Jenkins Plugin Manager. 2. Restart Jenkins after plugin update. 3. Verify the plugin version in Manage Jenkins > Manage Plugins > Installed tab.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable MATLAB Plugin
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin if immediate patching isn't possible
Navigate to Manage Jenkins > Manage Plugins > Installed tab, find MATLAB Plugin, click Disable
Restrict Jenkins Access
allLimit network access to Jenkins to trusted IPs only
Configure firewall rules to restrict access to Jenkins port (typically 8080)
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Remove the MATLAB Plugin entirely if not needed
- Implement strict access controls and audit all Jenkins user permissions
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check installed plugin version in Jenkins: Manage Jenkins > Manage Plugins > Installed tab, look for MATLAB Plugin versionCheck Version:
Check Jenkins web interface or examine $JENKINS_HOME/plugins/matlab-plugin/META-INF/MANIFEST.MF for versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify MATLAB Plugin version is 2.12.0 or higher in Manage Jenkins > Manage Plugins > Installed tab📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual access patterns to MATLAB Plugin endpoints
- Multiple failed authentication attempts followed by successful access
Network Indicators:
- Unusual HTTP requests to /plugin/matlab/ endpoints from unauthorized sources
SIEM Query:
source="jenkins.log" AND ("matlab" OR "/plugin/matlab/") AND (status=200 OR status=403)