The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-64146 affects the Jenkins Curseforge Publisher Plugin, specifically version 1.0, where API keys are stored unencrypted within the job config.xml files on the Jenkins controller. These configuration files are accessible to users who have Item/Extended Read permissions within Jenkins or to anyone with access to the Jenkins controller's file system. This improper storage of sensitive credentials violates best security practices, as API keys should be encrypted or stored securely using Jenkins credentials management. The exposure allows potentially unauthorized users to retrieve API keys, which can be used to interact with external services integrated via the plugin, such as Curseforge APIs, leading to unauthorized actions or data exfiltration. Although no exploits are currently known in the wild, the vulnerability is publicly disclosed and could be targeted by attackers who gain limited access to Jenkins environments. The plugin version affected is indicated as 0, which likely means all released versions up to the disclosure date are vulnerable. The lack of a CVSS score suggests the need for an independent severity assessment. The vulnerability does not require user interaction beyond having read permissions or file system access, making exploitation relatively straightforward in compromised environments. The Jenkins Curseforge Publisher Plugin is used primarily in development pipelines that publish or manage Curseforge content, so organizations using Jenkins for software development and deployment are at risk. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure credential storage and strict access control within CI/CD environments.

For European organizations, the exposure of API keys stored unencrypted in Jenkins job configurations can lead to significant security risks. Attackers or malicious insiders with read access to Jenkins jobs or file system access to the Jenkins controller can extract these keys and misuse them to manipulate external services, potentially causing data breaches, unauthorized code deployments, or service disruptions. This risk is particularly critical for organizations relying on Jenkins for continuous integration and deployment pipelines, as compromise of API keys can cascade into broader infrastructure compromise. The vulnerability undermines confidentiality and integrity of the development environment and associated external integrations. Given the widespread use of Jenkins in European software development, especially in countries with strong IT sectors such as Germany, France, and the UK, the impact could be substantial. Additionally, organizations in regulated industries (e.g., finance, healthcare) may face compliance issues if sensitive credentials are exposed. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as the vulnerability is publicly documented. The ease of exploitation by any user with read permissions or file system access increases the urgency of mitigation.

European organizations should implement the following specific mitigations: 1) Immediately audit Jenkins permissions to ensure that only trusted users have Item/Extended Read access, minimizing exposure to sensitive job configurations. 2) Restrict file system access on Jenkins controllers to authorized administrators only, employing strict OS-level access controls and monitoring. 3) Replace usage of the vulnerable Jenkins Curseforge Publisher Plugin with updated versions if available, or alternative plugins that securely handle API keys. 4) Where plugin updates are not yet available, remove API keys from job config.xml files and store them securely using Jenkins Credentials Plugin, which encrypts secrets and restricts access. 5) Enable Jenkins audit logging to detect unusual access patterns to job configurations or credentials. 6) Conduct regular security reviews of CI/CD pipelines and plugins to identify and remediate insecure credential storage. 7) Educate development and operations teams on secure credential management best practices within Jenkins environments. 8) Consider network segmentation to isolate Jenkins controllers from broader enterprise networks to limit lateral movement if compromise occurs. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on access control tightening, secure credential storage, and proactive monitoring tailored to Jenkins environments.