CVE-2025-57728 is a medium-severity vulnerability identified in JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA, a widely used integrated development environment (IDE) primarily for Java and other programming languages. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-863, which pertains to improper access control. Specifically, this flaw allows a Code With Me guest user—who normally has restricted collaborative access—to discover hidden files within the host's project environment. This occurs in versions of IntelliJ IDEA prior to 2025.2. The vulnerability does not require any privileges or user interaction to exploit, and it can be triggered remotely over the network. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.5, reflecting a medium severity level, with the vector indicating network attack vector (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), and impacts on confidentiality and integrity (C:L/I:L) but no impact on availability (A:N). The flaw essentially allows unauthorized disclosure and potential tampering with hidden files, which could include sensitive configuration or source code files that are not intended to be shared with collaborators. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability poses a risk in collaborative development environments where Code With Me is used to share project access with external or untrusted users. The lack of a patch link suggests that a fix may be pending or recently released but not yet documented in the source. Given the nature of the vulnerability, it could be leveraged to gain insights into proprietary code or configuration details, potentially aiding further targeted attacks or intellectual property theft.

For European organizations, especially those involved in software development, technology services, or any sector relying on IntelliJ IDEA for development, this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized exposure of sensitive source code or configuration files during collaborative sessions. This exposure risks intellectual property theft, leakage of sensitive business logic, or inadvertent disclosure of credentials or API keys stored in hidden files. Such leaks could undermine competitive advantage or lead to compliance violations under regulations like GDPR if personal data is inadvertently exposed. Furthermore, integrity impacts could allow malicious guests to manipulate files, potentially introducing backdoors or vulnerabilities into the codebase. The collaborative nature of Code With Me means that organizations with distributed or remote development teams are particularly vulnerable. The medium severity and lack of required privileges lower the barrier for exploitation, increasing risk if untrusted collaborators are granted access. While no active exploitation is known, the potential for insider threats or opportunistic attackers exploiting this flaw in a European context is significant, especially in countries with large software development sectors or critical infrastructure reliant on custom software.

European organizations should immediately audit their use of JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA, specifically the Code With Me feature. Until a patch is available, it is advisable to restrict Code With Me sessions to fully trusted collaborators only and avoid sharing access with external or unverified users. Organizations should implement strict access controls and monitor collaborative sessions for unusual activity. Additionally, sensitive files should be segregated or encrypted where possible to reduce exposure risk. Employing endpoint security solutions that can detect anomalous file access or exfiltration attempts during collaboration sessions can provide an additional layer of defense. Once JetBrains releases an official patch, organizations must prioritize prompt deployment across all affected development environments. Furthermore, reviewing and updating internal policies on collaborative development tools and conducting developer awareness training on secure sharing practices will help mitigate risks associated with this vulnerability.