CVE-2022-41241 is a critical vulnerability identified in the Jenkins RQM Plugin version 2.8 and earlier. The root cause of this vulnerability is the improper configuration of the XML parser used by the plugin, which fails to prevent XML External Entity (XXE) attacks. XXE vulnerabilities arise when an XML parser processes external entity references within XML input, potentially allowing an attacker to read arbitrary files, perform server-side request forgery (SSRF), or cause denial of service (DoS) conditions. In this case, the Jenkins RQM Plugin does not disable or properly restrict external entity processing, enabling remote attackers to exploit this flaw without requiring authentication or user interaction. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8, indicating a critical severity level with network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, and no user interaction needed. Successful exploitation can lead to full compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected Jenkins instance and potentially the underlying infrastructure. The plugin is used within Jenkins, a widely adopted open-source automation server for continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD), which is often integrated into enterprise software development pipelines. The CWE classification is CWE-611, which corresponds to improper restriction of XML external entity references in XML processors. No public exploits are currently known in the wild, but the critical severity and ease of exploitation make this a high-risk vulnerability that should be addressed promptly.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-41241 can be significant due to the widespread use of Jenkins in software development and DevOps pipelines across industries such as finance, manufacturing, telecommunications, and government. Exploitation of this vulnerability could allow attackers to access sensitive configuration files, credentials, or proprietary source code stored on Jenkins servers, leading to intellectual property theft or further lateral movement within corporate networks. Additionally, attackers could disrupt CI/CD workflows by causing denial of service or injecting malicious code into build processes, potentially compromising downstream software releases. Given the critical nature of the vulnerability and the lack of required authentication, attackers could remotely exploit vulnerable Jenkins instances exposed to the internet or accessible within internal networks. This poses a risk to data privacy and operational continuity, which are heavily regulated under European laws such as GDPR and NIS Directive. Organizations relying on Jenkins for critical software delivery should consider this vulnerability a high priority to mitigate to avoid regulatory penalties, reputational damage, and operational disruptions.

1. Immediate upgrade or patching: Organizations should check for updates or patches from the Jenkins project or plugin maintainers that address CVE-2022-41241. If no official patch is available, consider disabling or removing the Jenkins RQM Plugin until a fix is released. 2. XML parser hardening: If custom configurations are possible, ensure that the XML parser used by the plugin is configured to disable external entity processing and DTDs to prevent XXE attacks. 3. Network segmentation: Restrict network access to Jenkins servers, limiting exposure to trusted internal networks and VPNs only. Avoid exposing Jenkins instances directly to the internet. 4. Access controls: Enforce strict access controls and monitoring on Jenkins instances to detect anomalous activities that may indicate exploitation attempts. 5. Monitoring and logging: Enable detailed logging of Jenkins plugin activities and monitor for suspicious XML payloads or unusual requests targeting the RQM Plugin endpoints. 6. Incident response readiness: Prepare incident response plans specifically for Jenkins-related compromises, including credential rotation and forensic analysis procedures. 7. Security awareness: Educate DevOps and development teams about the risks of XXE vulnerabilities and secure plugin management practices.