CVE-2022-43419 is a medium severity vulnerability affecting the Jenkins Katalon Plugin version 1.0.32 and earlier. The vulnerability arises because the plugin stores API keys unencrypted within the job configuration files (config.xml) on the Jenkins controller. These API keys are sensitive credentials used to authenticate and authorize actions within the Katalon testing framework integrated into Jenkins pipelines. The unencrypted storage means that any user with Extended Read permissions on Jenkins or anyone with access to the Jenkins controller's file system can view these API keys in plaintext. This exposure violates the principle of least privilege and confidentiality, as API keys should be protected to prevent unauthorized use. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-522, which relates to insufficiently protected credentials. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.5 (medium severity), with the vector indicating network attack vector (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), requiring privileges (PR:L), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), high confidentiality impact (C:H), no integrity impact (I:N), and no availability impact (A:N). There are no known exploits in the wild, and no official patches have been linked yet. The issue primarily affects Jenkins controllers running the vulnerable Katalon plugin versions, exposing API keys to users with Extended Read permissions or those able to access the underlying file system. This vulnerability could lead to unauthorized use of API keys, potentially allowing attackers to execute automated testing tasks or access other integrated systems with the compromised credentials.

For European organizations using Jenkins with the Katalon plugin, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality of API keys. Exposure of these keys could allow attackers or unauthorized insiders to misuse the credentials, potentially leading to unauthorized execution of test automation workflows, data leakage, or lateral movement within the CI/CD environment. Since Jenkins is widely used in software development and DevOps pipelines, exploitation could disrupt development processes or compromise integrated systems. The impact is particularly critical for organizations handling sensitive data or operating in regulated industries such as finance, healthcare, or critical infrastructure, where unauthorized access could lead to compliance violations or operational risks. However, the vulnerability does not directly affect system integrity or availability, limiting its impact to confidentiality breaches. The requirement for Extended Read permissions or file system access means that organizations with strict access controls and proper segmentation may reduce the risk. Nonetheless, insider threats or attackers who gain low-level access could exploit this vulnerability to escalate privileges or move laterally within the network.

European organizations should take the following specific mitigation steps: 1) Immediately review and restrict Jenkins user permissions, ensuring that only trusted users have Extended Read access, and audit existing permissions regularly. 2) Limit access to the Jenkins controller file system to authorized administrators only, enforcing strict OS-level access controls and monitoring file access logs. 3) Rotate any API keys stored in Jenkins Katalon Plugin configurations to invalidate potentially exposed credentials. 4) If possible, upgrade the Jenkins Katalon Plugin to a version that addresses this vulnerability once available, or apply any vendor-provided patches promptly. 5) Implement secrets management solutions external to Jenkins to avoid storing sensitive credentials in plaintext within configuration files. 6) Monitor Jenkins logs and network traffic for unusual activity that could indicate misuse of exposed API keys. 7) Educate DevOps and security teams about the risks of storing sensitive data unencrypted and enforce secure coding and configuration practices in CI/CD pipelines.