Summary
Jenkins Credentials Binding Plugin versions 719.v80e905ef14eb_ and earlier do not sanitize file names for file and zip file credentials.
This allows attackers able to provide credentials to a job to write files to arbitrary locations on the node filesystem. If Jenkins is configured to allow a low-privileged user to configure file or zip file credentials used for a job running on the built-in node, this can lead to remote code execution.
Credentials Binding Plugin 720.v3f6decef43ea_ sanitizes the file name provided for file and zip file credentials, preventing path traversal.
Impact
Input manipulates file paths to reach files outside the intended directory, such as configuration or credential files. Typical impact: unauthorized file read or write outside the intended directory.
CVE-2026-42520 has a CVSS score of 7.5 (High). The vector is network-reachable, low privileges required, and no user interaction. A CVSS score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether this affects your application depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable in your environment. A fixed version is available (720.v3f6decef43ea); upgrading removes the vulnerable code path.
Affected versions
Security releases
Kodem intelligence
Severity tells you how bad this could be in the worst case. It does not tell you whether you are exposed. Exploitability and impact are functions of runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A vulnerable package can sit in your dependency tree and never run.
Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter. Kodem's runtime-powered SCA identifies whether this CVE is reachable in your applications.
Remediation advice
Kodem Kai can prioritize this vulnerability in your dependency tree and generate a fix recommendation.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is CVE-2026-42520? CVE-2026-42520 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in org.jenkins-ci.plugins:credentials-binding (maven), affecting versions < 720.v3f6decef43ea. It is fixed in 720.v3f6decef43ea. Input manipulates file paths to reach files outside the intended directory, such as configuration or credential files.
- How severe is CVE-2026-42520? CVE-2026-42520 has a CVSS score of 7.5 (High). This score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether it represents real risk in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable.
- Which versions of org.jenkins-ci.plugins:credentials-binding are affected by CVE-2026-42520? org.jenkins-ci.plugins:credentials-binding (maven) versions < 720.v3f6decef43ea is affected.
- Is there a fix for CVE-2026-42520? Yes. CVE-2026-42520 is fixed in 720.v3f6decef43ea. Upgrade to this version or later.
- Is CVE-2026-42520 exploitable, and should I be worried? Whether CVE-2026-42520 is exploitable in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable. A CVSS score is a worst-case rating; it does not account for your specific deployment, configuration, or usage patterns. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to show which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so you can focus on the ones that represent real risk. Get a demo
- What actually determines whether CVE-2026-42520 is exploitable, and how bad it is? Exploitability and impact are not fixed properties of a CVE. They depend on runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A high CVSS score on a dependency that never runs is not the same as real risk. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter.
- How do I fix CVE-2026-42520? Upgrade
org.jenkins-ci.plugins:credentials-bindingto 720.v3f6decef43ea or later.