CVE-2025-53663 is a security vulnerability identified in the Jenkins IBM Cloud DevOps Plugin version 2.0.16 and earlier. The vulnerability arises because the plugin stores SonarQube authentication tokens unencrypted within the job configuration files (config.xml) on the Jenkins controller. These tokens are sensitive credentials used to authenticate Jenkins jobs with SonarQube, a widely used code quality and security analysis tool. Because the tokens are stored in plaintext, any user with Item/Extended Read permissions within Jenkins or any actor with access to the Jenkins controller's file system can retrieve these tokens. This exposure can lead to unauthorized access to SonarQube services, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate code quality reports, access sensitive project data, or escalate privileges within the development pipeline. The vulnerability does not require elevated Jenkins permissions beyond Item/Extended Read, which is a relatively common permission level for users involved in development or operations. Additionally, no authentication barriers exist to prevent file system access if an attacker has compromised the Jenkins controller host. The vulnerability is present in a critical component of many CI/CD pipelines, making it a significant risk for organizations relying on Jenkins and IBM Cloud DevOps integrations. No CVSS score has been assigned yet, and there are no known exploits in the wild as of the publication date. However, the risk remains substantial due to the nature of the exposed credentials and the potential for lateral movement within development environments.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality and integrity of their software development lifecycle. Exposure of SonarQube tokens can lead to unauthorized access to code quality and security analysis data, potentially allowing attackers to hide malicious code or introduce vulnerabilities unnoticed. This can undermine compliance with strict European data protection regulations such as GDPR if sensitive code or data is exposed or manipulated. Furthermore, compromised Jenkins environments can serve as pivot points for broader attacks on enterprise infrastructure, including intellectual property theft or sabotage of software releases. Organizations in sectors with high regulatory scrutiny, such as finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure, may face heightened risks and potential legal consequences if this vulnerability is exploited. The availability impact is moderate, as exploitation primarily affects confidentiality and integrity, but disruption of CI/CD pipelines could occur if attackers manipulate Jenkins jobs or configurations. The ease of exploitation is moderate since it requires at least Item/Extended Read permissions or file system access, which may be attainable through insider threats or other vulnerabilities. Overall, the vulnerability could facilitate supply chain attacks or insider threats within European enterprises relying on Jenkins and IBM Cloud DevOps Plugin integrations.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should immediately upgrade the Jenkins IBM Cloud DevOps Plugin to a version that securely encrypts or otherwise protects SonarQube authentication tokens, once such a patch is released by the vendor. Until a patch is available, organizations should restrict Jenkins Item/Extended Read permissions strictly to trusted users and regularly audit permission assignments to minimize exposure. Additionally, securing the Jenkins controller host is critical; file system access should be tightly controlled using OS-level permissions and network segmentation to prevent unauthorized access. Organizations should consider rotating SonarQube tokens that may have been exposed and implement monitoring to detect unusual access patterns to Jenkins and SonarQube services. Employing Jenkins credential management best practices, such as using Jenkins Credentials Plugin with encrypted storage and avoiding storing sensitive tokens in job config files, can reduce risk. Finally, integrating Jenkins with centralized secrets management solutions and enforcing least privilege principles across CI/CD pipelines will help prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.