CVE-2025-53666 identifies a security vulnerability in the Jenkins Dead Man's Snitch Plugin version 0.1 where Dead Man's Snitch tokens are stored in plaintext within the job configuration files (config.xml) on the Jenkins controller. These tokens are sensitive credentials used to authenticate with the Dead Man's Snitch service, which monitors scheduled jobs and alerts on failures. Because the tokens are unencrypted, any user with Item/Extended Read permissions in Jenkins or access to the Jenkins controller's file system can read these tokens directly. This exposure violates confidentiality and could allow attackers or unauthorized users to hijack or misuse the tokens, potentially leading to unauthorized monitoring or manipulation of job status alerts. The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 6.5, reflecting medium severity, with an attack vector of network (remote), low attack complexity, and requiring privileges (PR:L) but no user interaction. The scope is unchanged, and the impact is high on confidentiality but none on integrity or availability. No patches or fixes are currently listed, and no known exploits have been reported in the wild. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-311 (Missing Encryption of Sensitive Data).

For European organizations, this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive monitoring tokens, which may be leveraged to disrupt or manipulate job monitoring and alerting processes. This could reduce the reliability of CI/CD pipelines and delay detection of job failures, impacting operational efficiency. Organizations with multiple Jenkins users or less restrictive permission models are particularly at risk. While the vulnerability does not directly affect system integrity or availability, the confidentiality breach could be a stepping stone for further attacks if attackers use the tokens to gather intelligence or escalate privileges. Industries with critical DevOps pipelines, such as finance, telecommunications, and manufacturing, could face operational risks if job monitoring is compromised. Additionally, regulatory requirements like GDPR emphasize protecting sensitive data, and exposure of credentials could lead to compliance issues and reputational damage.

European organizations should immediately audit Jenkins instances using the Dead Man's Snitch Plugin version 0.1 and identify all stored tokens in config.xml files. Restrict Jenkins Item/Extended Read permissions strictly to trusted users only, minimizing the number of users who can view job configurations. Limit file system access to the Jenkins controller to essential personnel and secure it with strong OS-level permissions. Where possible, migrate to newer plugin versions or alternative plugins that encrypt tokens at rest. Implement secrets management solutions integrated with Jenkins to avoid storing tokens in plaintext configuration files. Monitor Jenkins logs and access patterns for unusual activity related to config.xml files. Educate DevOps teams on the risks of storing sensitive tokens unencrypted and enforce secure credential handling policies. Finally, track Jenkins security advisories for patches or updates addressing this vulnerability and apply them promptly once available.