CVE-2021-21611 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Understand the impact of CVE-2021-21611, a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Jenkins versions 2.274 and earlier, LTS 2.263.1 and earlier. Learn about mitigation and prevention.
A stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability has been identified in Jenkins versions 2.274 and earlier, LTS 2.263.1 and earlier. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by specifying display names or IDs of item types.
Understanding CVE-2021-21611
This vulnerability affects Jenkins, specifically versions 2.274 and earlier, LTS 2.263.1 and earlier. It poses a risk of stored cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks.
What is CVE-2021-21611?
CVE-2021-21611 is a security vulnerability in the Jenkins project that allows attackers to exploit a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) issue by manipulating display names or IDs of item types.
The Impact of CVE-2021-21611
The vulnerability can be exploited by malicious actors to execute arbitrary code within the context of the affected application, potentially leading to unauthorized access or data theft.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-21611
This section provides a deeper insight into the vulnerability, affected systems, and exploitation mechanisms.
Vulnerability Description
Jenkins versions 2.274 and earlier, LTS 2.263.1 and earlier do not properly escape display names and IDs of item types on the New Item page, allowing for a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability.
Affected Systems and Versions
The vulnerability impacts Jenkins versions 2.274 and earlier, as well as LTS 2.263.1 and earlier. Users of these versions are at risk of exploitation.
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers with the ability to specify display names or IDs of item types can exploit this vulnerability to conduct stored cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks.
Mitigation and Prevention
Understanding how to mitigate and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2021-21611 is crucial for maintaining security.
Immediate Steps to Take
Users are advised to update their Jenkins installations to versions that have patched this vulnerability. It is also recommended to restrict access to the Jenkins interface to authorized personnel only.
Long-Term Security Practices
In the long term, organizations should enforce secure coding practices, conduct regular security audits, and stay informed about security updates from Jenkins.
Patching and Updates
Regularly applying security updates and patches released by Jenkins is essential to protect systems from known vulnerabilities.