CVE-2025-53652 impacts Jenkins Git

Overview

• CVE-2025-53652 is a vulnerability discovered in the Jenkins Git Parameter Plugin, which is widely used to provide dynamic parameterized build options in Jenkins jobs.
• This flaw allows attackers with Item/Build permissions to supply arbitrary Git parameter values, even those not among the offered UI choices. In various Jenkins job setups, this can enable command injection or, in high-risk cases, remote code execution (RCE).

Technical Details

• Affected Versions: Versions up to and including 439.vb0e46ca14534 are vulnerable.
  • Main issue: The plugin failed to verify that submitted Git parameters actually matched the valid selectable options — leaving open a pathway for injection attacks if a job used parameter values in Git-related commands or scripts.
• Exploit Mechanism:
  • Attackers can craft special parameter values (e.g., with shell metacharacters) that, when unsanitized, can escape into shell commands via Jenkins job definitions.
  • If Jenkins is exposed to the internet, and jobs use these parameters to dynamically build Git-related commands, an attacker can potentially achieve RCE.

Severity and Real-World Risk

• Official Severity: Jenkins project advisory labels this as Medium (SECURITY-3419).
  • However, researchers indicate a higher practical risk due to:
    • Prevalence of internet-exposed Jenkins instances (estimates of around 15,000 potential targets).
    • Potential for chained attacks where a successful injection escalates to command execution—most notably when Jenkins jobs misuse parameters in shell, Groovy, or batch scripts.
• Exposure Analysis:
  • Vulnerability is particularly dangerous on Jenkins servers configured without authentication or with overly broad build permissions.

Patch and Mitigation

• Fixed Version: Upgrade to Git Parameter Plugin version 444.vca84d3703c2 or newer.
• Patch Explanation:
  • This update enforces strict validation so that user-submitted parameter values must conform to the set of options presented by the plugin.
  • Caution: The validation introduced by the patch can be disabled via plugin configuration (for backward compatibility or custom use cases), so administrators must verify it remains active after upgrading.
• Immediate Actions:
  • Upgrade all installations of the Git Parameter Plugin to at least the fixed version.
  • Verify that input validation is enabled and not circumvented in configurations or custom code.
  • Restrict build permissions (Item/Build) to only those users who are fully trusted.

Detection, Monitoring, and Security Tools

• Monitoring Tips:
  • After patching, continue monitoring job logs for suspicious or unexpected parameter usage or command sequences that involve Git operations.
  • Deploy detection rules from security researchers or community sources that look for exploitation attempts (unexpected parameter patterns, dangerous commands invoked).
• Security Scanner Coverage:
  • As of initial reporting, not all vulnerability scanners may flag this CVE. Manual review is recommended for critical Jenkins environments.
• Ecosystem Notes:
  • Red Hat, CISA, and GitHub advisories reference the issue, but as of the last update, no supported Red Hat products are directly affected.

Action Checklist (Administrator’s Notes):

• [ ] Upgrade Git Parameter Plugin to ≥444.vca84d3703c2.
• [ ] Double-check plugin configuration: ensure validation cannot be bypassed.
• [ ] Audit Jenkins permissions: don’t grant Item/Build to untrusted users.
• [ ] Never expose Jenkins UI unauthenticated to the internet.
• [ ] Monitor logs for suspicious Git parameter values or abnormal build activity.
• [ ] Check for scanner/plugin updates to cover detection of CVE-2025-53652.
• [ ] Stay updated via Jenkins security advisories and CISA feeds for further risk assessment.

This comprehensive approach ensures both preventive and detective controls are in place for CVE-2025-53652.