CVE-2022-41238 is a critical security vulnerability identified in the Jenkins DotCi Plugin, versions 2.40.00 and earlier. The vulnerability arises due to a missing permission check that allows unauthenticated attackers to trigger builds of Jenkins jobs. Specifically, an attacker can specify arbitrary repositories and commits, causing the Jenkins server to execute builds for those attacker-controlled inputs without any authentication or authorization. This flaw is classified under CWE-862 (Missing Authorization), indicating that the system fails to enforce proper access control. The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8, reflecting its critical nature with network attack vector, no required privileges, no user interaction, and impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Exploiting this vulnerability could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code or commands within the build environment, potentially leading to full system compromise, data leakage, or disruption of continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines. Although no known exploits in the wild have been reported yet, the severity and ease of exploitation make it a significant threat to Jenkins users relying on the DotCi Plugin for automated builds. The lack of patch links suggests that users must monitor Jenkins security advisories for updates or consider disabling the plugin until a fix is available.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk, especially those heavily reliant on Jenkins for software development and deployment automation. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized code execution within build environments, potentially compromising sensitive source code, intellectual property, and credentials stored or used during builds. This could result in data breaches, supply chain attacks, or insertion of malicious code into production software. Additionally, disruption of build pipelines could delay software delivery, impacting business operations and compliance with regulatory requirements such as GDPR. Organizations in sectors like finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure, which often use Jenkins for CI/CD, could face severe operational and reputational damage. The vulnerability’s unauthenticated nature means attackers can exploit it remotely without prior access, increasing the attack surface and risk of widespread exploitation across European enterprises.

European organizations should take immediate, specific actions to mitigate this vulnerability beyond generic patching advice. First, audit Jenkins instances to identify usage of the DotCi Plugin and determine affected versions. If possible, disable or uninstall the DotCi Plugin until a secure patched version is released. Implement network-level restrictions to limit access to Jenkins servers, such as IP whitelisting or VPN-only access, to reduce exposure to unauthenticated attackers. Employ strict segmentation of build environments to contain potential compromises. Review and tighten Jenkins global and project-level permissions to ensure minimal privileges are granted. Monitor Jenkins logs for unusual build triggers or repository references that could indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, consider integrating runtime application self-protection (RASP) or endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect anomalous activities within build servers. Finally, stay updated with Jenkins security advisories and apply patches promptly once available.