How severe is CVE-2019-16538?

CVE-2019-16538 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2019-16538 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (70th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2019-16538?

CVE-2019-16538 affects Jenkins Script Security. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2019-16538?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2019-16538 published?

CVE-2019-16538 was published on 2019-11-21 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2019-16538

CVE-2019-16538 is a high-severity vulnerability in Jenkins Script Security with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-863.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.8)
CVSS v2: 6.5
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (70th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-863
Affected product: Jenkins Script Security
Published: 2019-11-21
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

A sandbox bypass vulnerability in Jenkins Script Security Plugin 1.67 and earlier related to the handling of default parameter expressions in closures allowed attackers to execute arbitrary code in sandboxed scripts.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2019-16538?: A sandbox bypass vulnerability in Jenkins Script Security Plugin 1.67 and earlier related to the handling of default parameter expressions in closures allowed attackers to execute arbitrary code in sandboxed scripts.
How severe is CVE-2019-16538?: CVE-2019-16538 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2019-16538 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (70th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2019-16538?: CVE-2019-16538 affects Jenkins Script Security. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2019-16538?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2019-16538 published?: CVE-2019-16538 was published on 2019-11-21 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:jenkins:script_security:*:*:*:*:*:jenkins:*:*

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