CVE-2026-57299: Jenkins Contrast Plugin Exposure Flaw

CVE-2026-57299 Overview

CVE-2026-57299 is a missing authorization vulnerability in the Jenkins Contrast Continuous Application Security Plugin version 3.11 and earlier. The flaw allows attackers with Overall/Read permission to enumerate the names of configured Contrast metadata. The vulnerability stems from absent permission checks on plugin endpoints that expose configuration data to low-privilege authenticated users.

The issue was disclosed in the Jenkins Security Advisory 2026-06-24 under tracking identifier SECURITY-3697. Exploitation requires valid Jenkins credentials with minimal permissions, which makes any account with read-only access a viable attacker.

Critical Impact
Authenticated users with Overall/Read permission can enumerate the names of configured Contrast metadata, exposing internal configuration details that may aid further reconnaissance.

Affected Products

Jenkins Contrast Continuous Application Security Plugin 3.11
Jenkins Contrast Continuous Application Security Plugin versions prior to 3.11
Jenkins controllers running the affected plugin

Discovery Timeline

2026-06-24 - Jenkins Security Advisory published disclosing SECURITY-3697
2026-06-24 - CVE-2026-57299 published to NVD
2026-06-25 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-57299

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability is a Missing Authorization issue affecting plugin endpoints in the Contrast Continuous Application Security Plugin for Jenkins. The plugin integrates Jenkins with the Contrast application security platform and stores metadata describing Contrast configurations.

In versions 3.11 and earlier, one or more HTTP endpoints exposed by the plugin do not enforce sufficient permission checks before returning data. Any authenticated user holding the baseline Overall/Read permission can invoke these endpoints and retrieve the names of configured Contrast metadata entries.

While the disclosure does not indicate that secret values such as API keys are leaked, exposing metadata names reveals which Contrast organizations, applications, or environments are integrated with Jenkins. This information assists attackers in mapping the build pipeline and selecting follow-on targets.

Root Cause

The root cause is missing permission checks on plugin endpoints. The Jenkins permission model expects sensitive configuration data to require elevated permissions such as Overall/Administer or specific item-level permissions. The plugin failed to validate the caller's permission level, defaulting to allowing any read-capable user to reach the endpoint.

Attack Vector

An attacker first obtains an account with Overall/Read permission on the target Jenkins instance. The attacker then issues HTTP requests to the vulnerable plugin endpoints. The response contains the names of configured Contrast metadata entries. No user interaction, special tooling, or chained exploit is required beyond a standard authenticated HTTP client.

The vulnerability is an information disclosure issue and does not provide code execution, write access, or credential theft on its own. Information harvested through this flaw can support reconnaissance for follow-on attacks targeting the Contrast integration or the broader CI/CD environment. Refer to the Jenkins Security Advisory 2026-06-24 for the original technical disclosure.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-57299

Indicators of Compromise

HTTP requests from low-privilege Jenkins accounts to Contrast plugin configuration endpoints under /jenkins/ paths.
Unusual enumeration patterns where a single authenticated session requests multiple plugin metadata endpoints in sequence.
Access to plugin endpoints by accounts that do not normally interact with build configuration or security tooling.

Detection Strategies

Review Jenkins access logs for requests to Contrast plugin URLs originating from users without administrative roles.
Correlate authentication events with plugin endpoint access to identify accounts performing reconnaissance beyond their typical scope.
Inventory installed plugin versions across Jenkins controllers and flag any instance running Contrast Continuous Application Security Plugin 3.11 or earlier.

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable verbose access logging on Jenkins controllers and forward logs to a centralized SIEM for retention and analysis.
Establish a baseline of normal user behavior per role and alert on deviations such as read-only accounts querying configuration endpoints.
Monitor for new low-privilege account creation followed by plugin endpoint access within a short timeframe.

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-57299

Immediate Actions Required

Upgrade the Contrast Continuous Application Security Plugin to a version newer than 3.11 once published by the maintainer.
Audit Jenkins user accounts and remove Overall/Read permission from users and service accounts that do not require it.
Review recent Jenkins access logs for evidence of metadata enumeration originating from low-privilege accounts.

Patch Information

Consult the Jenkins Security Advisory 2026-06-24 for the latest fixed version and patch availability. Apply the fixed plugin version through the Jenkins Plugin Manager and restart the controller to complete remediation.

Workarounds

Restrict access to the Jenkins controller at the network level so only trusted users and CI/CD systems can reach the web interface.
Apply the principle of least privilege using Jenkins role-based access control and avoid granting Overall/Read broadly.
If the Contrast integration is not in active use, disable or uninstall the plugin until a patched version is deployed.

bash

# Example: list installed Jenkins plugins and their versions via the CLI
java -jar jenkins-cli.jar -s https://jenkins.example.com/ -auth admin:TOKEN \
  list-plugins | grep -i contrast