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CVE Record

CVE-2019-9872: In several versions of JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate, creating run configurations for cloud application...

In several versions of JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate, creating run configurations for cloud application servers leads to saving a cleartext unencrypted record of the server credentials in the IDE configuration files. If the Settings Repository plugin was then used and configured to synchronize IDE settings using a public repository, these credentials were published to this repository. The issue has been fixed in the following versions: 2019.1, 2018.3.5, 2018.2.8, and 2018.1.8.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This issue could cause IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate to save cloud application server credentials in cleartext IDE configuration files. If the Settings Repository plugin synchronized those settings to a public repository, secrets could be exposed outside the organization.

Executive priority

Treat this as a credential exposure risk. Prioritize teams that used IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate with cloud server run configurations and public settings synchronization, because leaked credentials can enable unauthorized access even without active CVE exploitation.

Technical view

CVE-2019-9872 affects several IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate versions when cloud application server run configurations are created. The IDE stored server credentials unencrypted in configuration files. Exposure becomes external if Settings Repository synchronized those files to a public repository. JetBrains says fixes are in 2019.1, 2018.3.5, 2018.2.8, and 2018.1.8.

Likely exposure

Most relevant exposure is developer workstations using affected IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate versions with cloud application server run configurations. Business risk is higher where Settings Repository was enabled and pointed at a public repository.

Exploitation context

The provided sources do not report active exploitation, and this CVE is not listed as KEV. The practical risk is credential disclosure through insecure storage and accidental publication, not a described remote exploit path.

Researcher notes

Source detail is limited: no CVSS, CWE, full affected version matrix, or exploit report is included. Analysis should stay focused on JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate, cloud application server run configurations, Settings Repository synchronization, and the fixed versions named by JetBrains.

Mitigation direction

  • Upgrade IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate to 2019.1, 2018.3.5, 2018.2.8, 2018.1.8, or later.
  • Review JetBrains guidance for any additional product-specific cleanup steps.
  • Remove exposed IDE configuration files from public repositories where feasible.
  • Rotate any cloud application server credentials that may have been synchronized publicly.
  • Disable public synchronization of IDE settings containing secrets.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory developers using IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate versions before the fixed releases.
  • Identify cloud application server run configurations created in affected IDE versions.
  • Check whether the Settings Repository plugin synchronized IDE settings to public repositories.
  • Audit relevant repository history for accidentally published server credentials.
  • Confirm rotated credentials are no longer valid in target cloud application servers.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
3

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

0CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
2Source links

CVSS and timeline data

No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
n/an/an/aListed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.