The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-53662 affects the Jenkins IFTTT Build Notifier Plugin version 1.2 and earlier. This plugin integrates Jenkins with IFTTT (If This Then That) services by using Maker Channel Keys to trigger external automation workflows based on build events. The core issue is that these sensitive IFTTT Maker Channel Keys are stored unencrypted within the job-specific config.xml files on the Jenkins controller. These files are accessible to users who have Item or Extended Read permissions within Jenkins, or to anyone with direct file system access to the Jenkins controller server. Because the keys are stored in plaintext, an attacker or unauthorized user with these permissions can extract the keys and misuse them to trigger unauthorized IFTTT actions, potentially leading to information disclosure or manipulation of automated workflows. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-256 (Plaintext Storage of a Password) and has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 6.5, indicating a medium severity. The attack vector is network-based (AV:N), requires low privileges (PR:L), no user interaction (UI:N), and impacts confidentiality (C:H) but not integrity or availability. No patches or fixes are currently linked, and no known exploits have been reported in the wild as of the publication date. The vulnerability highlights a common security oversight in plugin development where sensitive credentials are not adequately protected, increasing risk especially in multi-tenant or shared Jenkins environments.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to the confidentiality of sensitive credentials used for automation workflows. If an attacker or unauthorized insider gains access to the Jenkins controller or has sufficient Jenkins permissions, they can extract IFTTT Maker Channel Keys and misuse them to trigger unauthorized actions or leak information through automated channels. This could lead to indirect data exposure, disruption of automated processes, or reputational damage if automation triggers unintended external actions. Organizations relying on Jenkins for continuous integration and deployment, especially those integrating with IFTTT for notifications or automation, may face increased risk of lateral movement or escalation if these keys are leveraged maliciously. The impact is heightened in environments with multiple users having read access to Jenkins jobs or where file system access controls are weak. While the vulnerability does not directly affect system integrity or availability, the confidentiality breach can facilitate further attacks or data leaks. European entities in sectors with strict data protection regulations (e.g., finance, healthcare) must consider the compliance implications of such credential exposures.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should first restrict Jenkins Item and Extended Read permissions strictly to trusted users, minimizing exposure of job configuration files. Implementing strict file system access controls on the Jenkins controller server is critical to prevent unauthorized direct access to config.xml files. Organizations should audit existing Jenkins jobs to identify and remove or rotate exposed IFTTT Maker Channel Keys. Where possible, upgrade the Jenkins IFTTT Build Notifier Plugin to a version that encrypts or securely manages these keys; if no patch is available, consider disabling the plugin or replacing it with alternative notification mechanisms that do not store sensitive keys in plaintext. Employ Jenkins security best practices such as enabling Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), using credential plugins that securely store secrets, and monitoring Jenkins logs for suspicious access patterns. Regularly review and update Jenkins and plugin versions to incorporate security fixes. Additionally, consider network segmentation to isolate Jenkins controllers from broader enterprise networks to limit attack surface. Finally, educate Jenkins administrators and users about the risks of storing sensitive credentials in job configurations.