CVE-2022-44624 is a vulnerability identified in JetBrains TeamCity, a widely used continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) server. The flaw exists in versions prior to 2022.10 and pertains to the improper handling of password parameters within build logs. Specifically, if password parameters contain special characters, these passwords can be inadvertently exposed in the build log files. This exposure occurs because the logging mechanism does not adequately sanitize or mask sensitive information before writing it to logs, leading to information leakage classified under CWE-532 (Information Exposure Through Log Files). The vulnerability allows an attacker with at least low privileges (PR:L) and network access (AV:N) to retrieve sensitive password data without requiring user interaction (UI:N). The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.5, indicating a medium severity level, with a high impact on confidentiality (C:H), but no impact on integrity or availability. The scope remains unchanged (S:U), meaning the vulnerability affects only the vulnerable component. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, and no official patches or mitigation links were provided in the source information. However, the issue is significant because leaked passwords in logs can be accessed by unauthorized users who have access to the TeamCity server or its backups, potentially leading to further compromise of build pipelines or connected systems.

For European organizations, the exposure of passwords in TeamCity build logs can have serious consequences. Many European enterprises rely on TeamCity for automating software builds and deployments, often integrating it with critical infrastructure and sensitive environments. Password leakage can lead to unauthorized access to build environments, source code repositories, deployment targets, or other integrated services, thereby compromising confidentiality and potentially enabling lateral movement within networks. This risk is heightened in regulated sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government, where data protection laws like GDPR impose strict requirements on safeguarding credentials and sensitive data. Additionally, exposure of credentials could facilitate supply chain attacks, undermining software integrity indirectly. Although the vulnerability does not affect availability or integrity directly, the confidentiality breach alone can lead to significant operational and reputational damage, regulatory penalties, and loss of customer trust.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should: 1) Upgrade TeamCity to version 2022.10 or later, where this issue is resolved. 2) Review and sanitize existing build logs to identify and securely remove any exposed passwords, especially those containing special characters. 3) Implement strict access controls and auditing on build server logs to limit exposure to authorized personnel only. 4) Avoid embedding passwords directly in build parameters; instead, use secure credential storage mechanisms provided by TeamCity or external secret management tools. 5) Regularly rotate credentials used in build configurations to minimize the impact of any potential exposure. 6) Monitor for unusual access patterns to build logs or TeamCity servers that could indicate exploitation attempts. 7) Educate developers and DevOps teams about secure handling of sensitive parameters in CI/CD pipelines. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on log hygiene, credential management best practices, and proactive monitoring tailored to the specifics of this vulnerability.