CVE-2026-92130 in Multibranch Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 09/16/2026
Jenkins Pipeline: Multibranch Plugin 841.vec5b_9e1806ec and earlier does not set the appropriate context for credentials lookup in the resolveScm Pipeline step, allowing attackers with Item/Configure permission to access and capture credentials they are not entitled to.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/16/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-23897 represents a critical security flaw within Jenkins CI/CD platform, specifically affecting the Multibranch Plugin in versions 841.vec5b_9e1806ec and earlier. This issue stems from an improper handling of credential context during the execution of pipeline steps, particularly when interacting with source code management systems. The core technical failure lies in how Jenkins resolves credentials for SCM operations within a Pipeline script. When a multibranch pipeline is configured to automatically discover branches or pull requests, it often needs to authenticate with external repositories such as GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket. In the affected versions, the resolveScm step does not correctly isolate or apply the specific credential context required for that particular SCM connection. Instead of restricting access to credentials explicitly defined and authorized for the current job or branch configuration, the plugin allows a broader scope of credential resolution than intended by the system's security model.
This architectural oversight creates a significant privilege escalation vector within Jenkins environments. An attacker who has been granted Item/Configure permission on a specific multibranch pipeline project can exploit this flaw to access credentials that are stored in Jenkins but were never meant for their use. These permissions typically allow users to modify the configuration of a job, such as changing branch filters or build triggers, which indirectly influences how SCM connections are established. By manipulating these configurations and triggering builds, an attacker can force the pipeline to execute the vulnerable resolveScm step. Because the context is not properly set, Jenkins may fall back to default credential lookup behaviors or expose credentials associated with other projects within the same folder hierarchy that have higher privileges. This effectively bypasses the principle of least privilege, allowing a low-privileged user to harvest high-value secrets such as SSH keys, API tokens, or deployment passwords intended for production systems or administrative accounts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, particularly in enterprise environments where Jenkins serves as the central hub for continuous integration and delivery workflows. The ability to capture unauthorized credentials can lead to a chain reaction of further compromises. Attackers can use these stolen secrets to access external repositories, potentially injecting malicious code into source branches that will be built by other pipelines. This facilitates supply chain attacks where compromised build artifacts are distributed downstream. Furthermore, if the accessed credentials provide administrative access to cloud infrastructure or container registries, attackers could deploy malware, exfiltrate sensitive data, or disrupt critical business operations. The risk is amplified in shared Jenkins instances where multiple teams manage different projects with varying levels of security sensitivity, as a breach in one project can cascade into others due to the lack of strict credential isolation during SCM resolution.
From a classification perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 Improper Access Control and CWE-798 Use of Hard-coded Credentials if static credentials are exposed through misconfiguration. It also maps to MITRE ATT&CK techniques related to Credential Dumping (T1003) and Initial Access via Compromised Applications (TA0001). The flaw essentially allows an unauthorized actor to bypass access controls designed to segregate sensitive information between different pipeline contexts, violating the fundamental security requirement of context-aware authentication.
To mitigate this vulnerability, organizations must immediately upgrade Jenkins core and all plugins to their latest stable versions where this issue has been resolved by the Jenkins community. It is crucial to verify that the Multibranch Plugin version is newer than 841.vec5b_9e1806ec or contains the specific patch addressing CVE-2024-23897. In addition to upgrading, administrators should review and tighten Item/Configure permissions within Jenkins Global Security settings. Applying role-based access control (RBAC) using plugins like Role-Based Authorization Strategy can help ensure that users only have the minimum necessary privileges for their specific projects. Regular audits of credential stores are also recommended to identify any credentials that may have been exposed or misused during periods when vulnerable versions were in production. Monitoring Jenkins audit logs for unusual SCM authentication attempts can provide early detection indicators if an exploitation attempt occurs before a patch is applied.