CVE-2025-45938 is a Cross Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the Akeles Out of Office Assistant plugin for Jira, specifically version 4.0.1. The vulnerability arises from improper sanitization or validation of the 'fullName' parameter within Jira, which the plugin uses. An attacker can craft malicious input in the 'fullName' parameter that, when processed by the plugin, results in the execution of arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of the victim's browser. This type of vulnerability can be exploited by tricking a user into clicking a specially crafted link or viewing manipulated content within Jira, leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of the user. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the presence of this vulnerability in a widely used collaboration tool like Jira poses a significant risk. The lack of a CVSS score indicates that the vulnerability has not yet been fully assessed or scored, but the technical nature of XSS vulnerabilities and their potential impact on confidentiality and integrity are well understood. The vulnerability affects the Akeles Out of Office Assistant plugin version 4.0.1, but no other versions or patches are specified, suggesting that users of this specific version are at risk. The vulnerability was reserved in April 2025 and published in July 2025, indicating recent discovery and disclosure.

For European organizations, this vulnerability could have serious implications, especially for those heavily reliant on Jira for project management and collaboration. Exploitation of this XSS flaw could allow attackers to steal session cookies, impersonate users, or perform unauthorized actions within Jira, potentially leading to data leakage, unauthorized access to sensitive project information, and disruption of workflows. Given that Jira is widely adopted across various sectors including finance, government, and technology in Europe, the risk extends to critical infrastructure and sensitive data environments. Furthermore, the collaborative nature of Jira means that a compromised user account could be leveraged to propagate further attacks within an organization. The impact on confidentiality and integrity is significant, while availability impact is generally limited for XSS vulnerabilities. However, the reputational damage and potential regulatory consequences under GDPR for data breaches could be substantial for affected European entities.

Organizations should immediately assess their use of the Akeles Out of Office Assistant plugin for Jira, specifically checking for version 4.0.1. If this version is in use, they should consider disabling the plugin until a patch or update is available. In the absence of an official patch, implementing web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block malicious payloads targeting the 'fullName' parameter can provide temporary protection. Additionally, enforcing strict Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can mitigate the impact of XSS by restricting the execution of unauthorized scripts. User education to recognize phishing attempts and suspicious links within Jira is also important. Monitoring Jira logs for unusual activity and access patterns can help detect exploitation attempts. Finally, organizations should maintain close communication with the plugin vendor for updates and apply patches promptly once released.