CVE-2025-53664 is a vulnerability identified in the Jenkins Apica Loadtest Plugin version 1.10 and earlier. This plugin is used within Jenkins, a widely adopted open-source automation server, to integrate Apica Loadtest performance testing capabilities into Jenkins pipelines. The vulnerability arises because the plugin stores Apica Loadtest LTP (Load Test Platform) authentication tokens unencrypted within the job configuration files (config.xml) on the Jenkins controller. These tokens are sensitive credentials that allow access to the Apica Loadtest platform and potentially to performance testing environments and data. The unencrypted storage means that any user with Item/Extended Read permission within Jenkins, or anyone with access to the Jenkins controller file system, can view these tokens in plaintext. This exposure can lead to unauthorized access to the Apica Loadtest platform, enabling attackers to manipulate load tests, extract sensitive performance data, or disrupt testing processes. Since Jenkins is often used in continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines, compromising these tokens could also indirectly affect the integrity of software delivery processes. The vulnerability does not require user interaction beyond having read permissions or file system access, and no authentication bypass is needed beyond these existing permissions. There is no CVSS score assigned yet, and no known exploits have been reported in the wild as of the publication date. However, the risk remains significant due to the sensitive nature of the tokens and the potential for lateral movement within the Jenkins environment once credentials are exposed.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk to the confidentiality and integrity of their CI/CD pipelines and performance testing environments. Many European enterprises rely on Jenkins for automated software delivery and use plugins like Apica Loadtest for performance validation. Exposure of authentication tokens could allow malicious insiders or external attackers who gain read access to Jenkins to escalate privileges or disrupt testing workflows, potentially leading to inaccurate performance assessments or unauthorized access to testing infrastructure. This could delay software releases, degrade software quality, or expose sensitive operational data. Given the increasing regulatory focus on data protection and operational security in Europe (e.g., GDPR), unauthorized access to internal systems and credentials could also lead to compliance violations and reputational damage. The vulnerability could be exploited in environments where Jenkins controllers are shared among multiple teams or where access controls are not tightly enforced, which is common in large European enterprises and public sector organizations.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should: 1) Immediately upgrade the Jenkins Apica Loadtest Plugin to a version where this vulnerability is patched once available. 2) Restrict Jenkins Item/Extended Read permissions strictly on a need-to-know basis, ensuring only trusted users have access to job configurations. 3) Implement strict file system access controls on the Jenkins controller to prevent unauthorized users from reading config.xml files. 4) Consider encrypting sensitive credentials externally using Jenkins credentials plugins or secret management tools rather than storing them in job configuration files. 5) Audit existing Jenkins job configurations for exposed tokens and rotate any compromised Apica Loadtest authentication tokens promptly. 6) Monitor Jenkins logs and access patterns for unusual activity that could indicate exploitation attempts. 7) Employ network segmentation and zero-trust principles around Jenkins infrastructure to limit lateral movement if credentials are compromised. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on access control tightening, credential management best practices, and proactive auditing specific to this vulnerability's nature.