CVE-2025-53669 identifies a vulnerability in the Jenkins VAddy Plugin version 1.2.8 and earlier, where the plugin fails to mask VAddy API authentication keys on the job configuration form. This means that any user who has permission to view or modify job configurations can see the API keys in plaintext, which should normally be protected to prevent unauthorized disclosure. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-256 (Plaintext Storage of a Password) and CWE-522 (Insufficiently Protected Credentials). The CVSS 3.1 base score is 4.3 (medium), reflecting that the attack vector is network-based with low complexity, requiring low privileges and no user interaction, and impacts confidentiality only. The scope is unchanged, meaning the vulnerability affects only the component where the keys are exposed. Although no exploits have been reported in the wild, the risk lies in potential credential theft leading to unauthorized API access, which could be leveraged for further attacks or data exfiltration. The vulnerability does not affect the integrity or availability of Jenkins or the plugin directly but compromises sensitive credential confidentiality. The lack of masking is a design flaw that increases the attack surface for insiders or users with limited access. No official patches have been linked yet, so mitigation relies on access control and operational security measures.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to the confidentiality of VAddy API keys used within Jenkins CI/CD pipelines. If attackers or unauthorized insiders gain access to these keys, they could misuse the VAddy API to perform unauthorized actions such as scanning or interacting with web applications, potentially leading to further security breaches or data exposure. Organizations heavily reliant on Jenkins for DevOps automation and using the VAddy Plugin are at risk of credential leakage, which could cascade into broader compromise of development and deployment environments. The vulnerability does not directly impact system availability or integrity but can facilitate lateral movement or privilege escalation if API keys are abused. Given the collaborative nature of Jenkins environments, insider threats or compromised accounts with job configuration access are the most likely exploitation vectors. The impact is heightened in regulated industries where API key confidentiality is critical for compliance and operational security.

To mitigate CVE-2025-53669, European organizations should: 1) Immediately review and restrict Jenkins job configuration permissions to the minimum necessary users, ensuring only trusted personnel can view or modify job settings. 2) Rotate any VAddy API keys that may have been exposed or used in vulnerable plugin versions. 3) Monitor Jenkins audit logs and VAddy API usage logs for anomalous or unauthorized activity indicative of credential misuse. 4) If possible, upgrade the Jenkins VAddy Plugin to a version that addresses this vulnerability once available. 5) Implement environment segmentation and least privilege principles to limit the impact of potential credential exposure. 6) Educate Jenkins administrators and developers about the risks of exposing API keys in configuration forms and encourage secure credential management practices. 7) Consider using Jenkins credential plugins or vault integrations that mask or encrypt sensitive data instead of storing them in plaintext within job configurations. 8) Regularly audit Jenkins plugins and configurations for security best practices and known vulnerabilities.