CVE-2024-23897: Jenkins Command Line Interface (CLI) Path Traversal Vulnerability
Jenkins · Jenkins Command Line Interface (CLI) · NVD published 2024-01-25 · posted 2026-10-21 · last modified 2026-06-17
What it is
Jenkins 2.441 and earlier, LTS 2.426.2 and earlier does not disable a feature of its CLI command parser that replaces an '@' character followed by a file path in an argument with the file's contents, allowing unauthenticated attackers to read arbitrary files on the Jenkins controller file system.
| Weakness | CWE-22CWE-27 |
|---|---|
| CVSS vector | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H (source: [email protected]) |
| CISA due date | 2024-09-09 (for US federal agencies under BOD; a good deadline for everyone) |
| ATT&CK tactics | Initial Access → Discovery |
Exploitation evidence
First exploit evidence seen: 2024-01-24 (earliest date across the sources below).
Exploited in the wild
- CISA KEV: listed since 2024-08-19. Source
Public exploit code
Metasploit
auxiliary/gather/jenkins_cli_ampersand_arbitrary_file_read: Jenkins cli Ampersand Replacement Arbitrary File Read (disclosure 2024-01-24)
Exploit-DB
- EDB-51993: Jenkins 2.441 - Local File Inclusion (2024-04-15)
GitHub proof-of-concept repositories
49 public repositories from 49 accounts, first seen 2024-01-24. Most starred: h4x0r-dz/CVE-2024-23897 (209 stars), view repository.
Verify before running: public PoCs can be malicious. Read the code and only run it in an isolated lab. A PoC means exploit code is public, not that this CVE is exploited in the wild.
Sources: CISA KEV · Rapid7 Metasploit Framework module metadata · Exploit-DB (OffSec) · nomi-sec/PoC-in-GitHub.
Defend the Chain
The attack chain for CVE-2024-23897 laid across the MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise tactics. Solid cards come from the MITRE CTID KEV mappings; dashed cards are inferred by CVERadar from the CWE or description. Correct defences are real ATT&CK mitigations for that technique.
Pick a red technique card on the board, then choose the defence that stops it.
Defend against T1190 Exploit Public-Facing Application Inferred
Inferred from CWE CWE-22
How to fix it
CISA required action
Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. (source: CISA KEV)
Fixed versions
- jenkins jenkins: upgrade to 2.426.3 or later
- jenkins jenkins: upgrade to 2.442 or later
Derived from the NVD CPE configuration (versionEndExcluding / versionEndIncluding). Always confirm with the vendor advisory.
Vendor advisories and patches
- https://www.jenkins.io/security/advisory/2024-01-24/#SECURITY-3314 (CISA KEV notes)
MITRE ATT&CK mitigations for this chain
- M1048 Application Isolation and Sandboxing (for T1190) : Application isolation will limit what other processes and system features the exploited target can access.
- M1037 Filter Network Traffic (for T1190) : Restrict outbound network traffic from public-facing servers to prevent unauthorized connections from initiating communications with attacker-controlled infrastructure. While this may not prevent the initial exploitation, it limits the attacker's ability to verify and control the compromised server post-exploit, reduci
- M1030 Network Segmentation (for T1190) : Segment externally facing servers and services from the rest of the network with a DMZ or on separate hosting infrastructure.
- M1016 Vulnerability Scanning (for T1190) : Regularly scan externally facing systems for vulnerabilities and establish procedures to rapidly patch systems when critical vulnerabilities are discovered through scanning and through public disclosure.
- M1026 Privileged Account Management (for T1190) : Use least privilege for service accounts will limit what permissions the exploited process gets on the rest of the system.
- M1050 Exploit Protection (for T1190) : Web Application Firewalls may be used to limit exposure of applications to prevent exploit traffic from reaching the application.
- M1035 Limit Access to Resource Over Network (for T1190) : Ensure that all publicly exposed services are actually intended to be so, and restrict access to any that should only be available internally.
- M1051 Update Software (for T1190) : Update software regularly by employing patch management for externally exposed applications.
Detection Generic guidance
- Initial Access: Alert on unusual requests to the affected service (odd paths, oversized payloads, exploit strings) in WAF, reverse-proxy and application logs.
- Discovery: Look for directory listing, file enumeration and reconnaissance commands from service accounts.
Response checklist Generic guidance
- Inventory: find every instance of the affected product and version (include internet-facing and forgotten ones).
- Patch or mitigate per the vendor advisory; if you cannot patch, remove internet exposure or apply the vendor workaround.
- Assume compromise if the system was exposed before patching: hunt for the indicators in the advisory and review logs back to the disclosure date.
- Rotate credentials and secrets stored on or used by the affected system if compromise cannot be ruled out.
Sources
- NVD: CVE-2024-23897
- CVE.org record
- CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
- FIRST EPSS (2026-10-24)
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/176839/Jenkins-2.441-LTS-2.426.3-CVE-2024-23897-Scanner.html (Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/176840/Jenkins-2.441-LTS-2.426.3-Arbitrary-File-Read.html (Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2024/01/24/6 (Mailing List)
- https://www.sonarsource.com/blog/excessive-expansion-uncovering-critical-security-vulnerabilities-in-jenkins/ (Exploit, Press/Media Coverage)
- https://www.vicarius.io/vsociety/posts/the-anatomy-of-a-jenkins-vulnerability-cve-2024-23897-revealed-1 (Exploit, Third Party Advisory)
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2024-23897 (US Government Resource)