CVE-2025-54876 identifies a vulnerability in the Janssen Project's open-source identity and access management platform, specifically in versions 1.9.0 and earlier. The vulnerability arises from the platform's practice of storing user passwords in plaintext within the local cli_cmd.log file. This log file is typically used for command-line interface command tracking but inadvertently captures sensitive credential data without encryption or masking. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-522, indicating insufficient protection of credentials. The CVSS 4.0 vector (AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:L/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N) shows that the attack vector is network-based, requires no privileges or user interaction, and impacts confidentiality at a low level. An attacker who can access the system or logs remotely could retrieve plaintext passwords, leading to unauthorized access to user accounts and potentially escalating to broader system compromise. The vulnerability does not affect integrity or availability directly but compromises the confidentiality of credentials. The issue has been addressed in the nightly prerelease builds, suggesting that a patch or code change has been implemented to prevent passwords from being logged in plaintext. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the risk remains significant due to the sensitive nature of the data exposed. The Janssen Project is used for identity and access management, making this vulnerability particularly critical in environments where secure authentication is paramount.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-54876 can be substantial, especially those relying on the Janssen IAM platform for managing user identities and access controls. Exposure of plaintext passwords in log files can lead to credential theft, unauthorized access, and potential lateral movement within networks. This can result in data breaches, regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR violations due to inadequate protection of personal data), and damage to organizational reputation. Identity management systems are often integrated with critical business applications, so compromise here could cascade into broader system compromises. Additionally, the ease of exploitation (network accessible, no authentication required) increases the risk of automated scanning and attacks. European entities in sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure that use Janssen IAM are particularly vulnerable. The breach of credentials could also facilitate supply chain attacks if attackers leverage compromised accounts to access partner systems. The lack of user interaction and privileges required means attackers can exploit this vulnerability remotely and stealthily, increasing the threat surface.

1. Upgrade immediately to the latest Janssen Project nightly prerelease or any official patch that addresses this vulnerability to ensure passwords are no longer logged in plaintext. 2. Restrict access permissions to the cli_cmd.log file and any related log files to the minimum necessary users and processes, implementing strict file system ACLs. 3. Implement centralized and secure logging solutions that sanitize or exclude sensitive credential information from logs. 4. Conduct regular audits of log files to detect any inadvertent credential exposure. 5. Employ network segmentation and monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts to systems running Janssen IAM. 6. Educate system administrators and developers on secure credential handling and logging best practices to prevent similar issues. 7. Consider deploying runtime application self-protection (RASP) or host-based intrusion detection systems (HIDS) to monitor for suspicious access to log files. 8. Review and enhance incident response plans to quickly address potential credential leaks. 9. Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible to mitigate the risk of compromised passwords. 10. Engage with the Janssen Project community to stay informed about updates and security advisories.