CVE-2025-53656 is a security vulnerability identified in the Jenkins ReadyAPI Functional Testing Plugin, specifically versions 1.11 and earlier. This plugin is used within Jenkins, a widely adopted open-source automation server, to facilitate functional testing through ReadyAPI integration. The vulnerability arises because sensitive credentials—including SLM License Access Keys, client secrets, and passwords—are stored unencrypted within the job configuration files (config.xml) on the Jenkins controller. These files are accessible to users who have Item/Extended Read permissions or those with access to the Jenkins controller's file system. Since these credentials are stored in plaintext, any unauthorized or low-privileged user with read access can extract these secrets, potentially leading to further compromise of the Jenkins environment or connected systems. The vulnerability does not require user interaction to be exploited but does require some level of access to Jenkins, either through granted permissions or file system access. No known exploits are reported in the wild as of the publication date, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet. However, the exposure of sensitive credentials in plaintext represents a significant security risk, especially in environments where Jenkins is used for continuous integration and deployment pipelines that may have access to critical infrastructure or production systems.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a considerable risk to the confidentiality and integrity of their software development and deployment pipelines. Jenkins is widely used across various industries in Europe, including finance, manufacturing, telecommunications, and government sectors. Exposure of license keys and client secrets could allow attackers to bypass licensing restrictions, escalate privileges, or move laterally within the network. Additionally, leaked passwords could enable unauthorized access to Jenkins or integrated systems, potentially leading to code injection, unauthorized deployments, or data exfiltration. The impact is heightened in regulated industries subject to GDPR and other data protection laws, where credential leakage could lead to compliance violations and significant fines. Moreover, the vulnerability could be exploited to disrupt continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) workflows, affecting availability and delaying critical software updates. Given the central role Jenkins plays in DevOps processes, exploitation could have cascading effects on operational continuity and security posture.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should immediately audit their Jenkins environments to identify instances of the ReadyAPI Functional Testing Plugin version 1.11 or earlier. Upgrading to a patched version of the plugin that encrypts sensitive credentials is the most effective remediation once available. Until a patch is released, organizations should restrict Item/Extended Read permissions strictly to trusted users and enforce the principle of least privilege. Additionally, access to the Jenkins controller file system must be tightly controlled and monitored to prevent unauthorized reading of config.xml files. Implementing credential management best practices, such as using Jenkins credentials store or external secret management solutions (e.g., HashiCorp Vault, Azure Key Vault), can reduce reliance on storing secrets in job configuration files. Regularly rotating credentials and auditing Jenkins logs for suspicious access patterns will further enhance security. Finally, organizations should consider network segmentation and multi-factor authentication for Jenkins access to reduce the risk of unauthorized exploitation.