CVE-2013-2033 in CloudBees
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Jenkins before 1.514, LTS before 1.509.1, and Enterprise 1.466.x before 1.466.14.1 and 1.480.x before 1.480.4.1 allows remote authenticated users with write permission to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/10/2026
The CVE-2013-2033 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting CloudBees Jenkins versions prior to specific patch releases. This vulnerability resides within the core web application framework of Jenkins, a widely-used continuous integration and delivery platform that serves as the backbone for software development automation in enterprise environments. The flaw specifically impacts versions before 1.514 for standard releases, 1.509.1 for Long Term Support releases, and various enterprise versions including 1.466.14.1 and 1.480.4.1. The vulnerability affects authenticated users who possess write permissions within the Jenkins environment, creating a significant attack surface that can be exploited by malicious actors with limited access rights.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within Jenkins' web interface components. Attackers with write privileges can manipulate web forms, configuration parameters, or build scripts to inject malicious JavaScript code or HTML content into the application's response streams. These injection points are not properly sanitized, allowing the malicious code to execute within the context of other users' browsers when they view affected pages. The unspecified vectors suggest that multiple entry points within the application's user interface may be vulnerable, including job configurations, build parameters, or administrative interfaces that handle user-provided content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges, steal session cookies, perform actions on behalf of authenticated users, and potentially gain access to sensitive build artifacts or system configurations. In enterprise environments where Jenkins serves as a central automation hub, this vulnerability can compromise the integrity of the entire CI/CD pipeline. Attackers could inject malicious code that exfiltrates credentials, modifies build processes, or creates backdoors within the development infrastructure. The vulnerability particularly threatens organizations that rely heavily on Jenkins for automated deployments, as it could lead to supply chain compromises or unauthorized code modifications. This weakness aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious web content.
Organizations should immediately implement comprehensive mitigation strategies including mandatory version upgrades to patched Jenkins releases, enhanced input validation controls, and strict access control measures. The recommended remediation involves upgrading to Jenkins versions 1.514, 1.509.1, 1.466.14.1, or 1.480.4.1, depending on the specific installation type. Additionally, organizations should implement Content Security Policy headers, conduct regular security audits of Jenkins configurations, and establish strict monitoring for unauthorized configuration changes. Security teams should also review user permissions and implement principle of least privilege models to limit the potential impact of compromised accounts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and proper input sanitization in web applications, particularly those serving as central automation platforms in enterprise environments.