CVE-2025-53675 identifies a vulnerability in the Jenkins Warrior Framework Plugin version 1.2 and earlier, where passwords are stored in plaintext within the job configuration files (config.xml) on the Jenkins controller. This insecure storage violates best practices for credential management, specifically CWE-256 (Plaintext Storage of a Password). The vulnerability allows any user with Item/Extended Read permission or file system access to the Jenkins controller to retrieve sensitive passwords without needing additional authentication or user interaction. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.5 (medium), reflecting the high confidentiality impact but no impact on integrity or availability. The attack vector is network-based (AV:N), with low attack complexity (AC:L), requiring privileges (PR:L) but no user interaction (UI:N). The scope remains unchanged (S:U), meaning the vulnerability affects only the vulnerable component. Although no exploits are currently known in the wild, the exposure of plaintext passwords can facilitate lateral movement, privilege escalation, or unauthorized access to integrated systems and services within CI/CD pipelines. This vulnerability highlights the importance of secure credential storage and strict access controls in Jenkins environments.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality of sensitive credentials used in CI/CD pipelines. Compromise of these passwords can lead to unauthorized access to build environments, source code repositories, deployment targets, and other integrated systems, potentially resulting in data breaches or disruption of software delivery processes. Organizations in sectors with stringent data protection requirements, such as finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure, could face regulatory consequences if credential exposure leads to data compromise. The medium severity rating reflects that while the vulnerability does not directly affect system integrity or availability, the confidentiality breach can be a stepping stone for more severe attacks. Given Jenkins' widespread adoption across Europe for software development and automation, the risk is amplified in organizations with large development teams or complex deployment environments. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could gain footholds in development infrastructure, undermining trust in software supply chains.

To mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should immediately audit and restrict Jenkins permissions, ensuring that only trusted users have Item/Extended Read access. File system access to the Jenkins controller should be tightly controlled and monitored to prevent unauthorized retrieval of config.xml files. Administrators should upgrade the Jenkins Warrior Framework Plugin to a patched version once released or remove the plugin if it is not essential. In the interim, consider encrypting sensitive credentials externally and avoid storing plaintext passwords in job configurations. Implementing Jenkins credentials plugins that securely store secrets and integrating with external secret management solutions (e.g., HashiCorp Vault, Azure Key Vault) can reduce exposure. Regularly review Jenkins audit logs for suspicious access patterns and enforce multi-factor authentication for Jenkins user accounts. Additionally, conduct security training for development teams on the risks of insecure credential storage and the importance of least privilege principles.