# CVE-2023-28668: Jenkins Role-based Authorization Strategy Plugin grants permissions even after they’ve been disabled

> Attackers can retain unauthorized access in Jenkins because the Role-based Authorization Strategy Plugin fails to revoke permissions after they are disabled.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.8 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 23 Mar 2023
- **Updated:** 25 Feb 2025
- **Also known as:** GHSA-436g-2f92-cvhh

## What is CVE-2023-28668?

CVE-2023-28668 is a critical missing authorization vulnerability in Jenkins Role-based Authorization Strategy Plugin, published on 23 Mar 2023. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

Jenkins Role-based Authorization Strategy Plugin 587.v2872c41fa_e51 and earlier grants permissions even after they've been disabled.

Weakness: CWE-281 (Improper Preservation of Permissions)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-28668?

2 open source packages ship an affected version, including org.jenkins-ci.plugins:role-strategy. It affects 1 product.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `org.jenkins-ci.plugins:role-strategy` | Maven | All versions | 587.588.v850a_20a_30162 |
| `org.jenkins-ci.plugins:role-strategy` | Maven | All versions | 587.588.v850a_20a_30162 |

Products: Jenkins Role-Based Authorization Strategy.

## How do I fix CVE-2023-28668?

Upgrade org.jenkins-ci.plugins:role-strategy to 587.588.v850a_20a_30162 or later.

## Is CVE-2023-28668 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-28668 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Jenkins Role-based Authorization Strategy Plugin

- [CVE-2020-2286](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-2286/): Improper authorization due to caching in Jenkins Role-based Authorization Strategy Plugin (high 8.8)
- [CVE-2017-1000090](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-1000090/): CSRF vulnerability in Jenkins Role-based Authorization Strategy Plugin configuration (high 8.8)
- [CVE-2021-21624](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-21624/): Incorrect permission checks in Jenkins Role-based Authorization Strategy Plugin may allow accessing some items (medium 4.3)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2023-28668 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2023-28668 is a critical missing authorization vulnerability in Jenkins Role-based Authorization Strategy Plugin, published on 23 Mar 2023. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-28668 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- org.jenkins-ci.plugins:role-strategy (Maven): affected all versions; fixed in 587.588.v850a_20a_30162
- org.jenkins-ci.plugins:role-strategy (Maven): affected all versions; fixed in 587.588.v850a_20a_30162

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-28668/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-28668/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-28668
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-28668
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2023-28668

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-28668/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.