CVE-2025-55853 is a Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) vulnerability affecting SoftVision webPDF versions prior to 10.0.2. The core issue lies in the PDF converter component, which fails to properly validate or restrict the protocols used in resources referenced within uploaded files. Specifically, the application permits protocols such as http:// and file:///, enabling attackers to upload malicious XML or HTML files crafted to exploit this flaw. When the application processes these files to generate PDFs, it inadvertently allows the attacker to induce the server to make unauthorized requests to internal or external resources. This can be leveraged to perform internal port scanning, revealing network topology and open services, as well as Local File Inclusion (LFI), which may expose sensitive files on the server. The vulnerability does not require prior authentication, increasing its risk profile. Although no exploits are currently known in the wild and no official patches have been linked, the vulnerability is publicly disclosed and assigned CVE-2025-55853. The lack of protocol validation in a critical document processing function makes this a significant threat to confidentiality and integrity within affected environments.

The impact of CVE-2025-55853 is substantial for organizations using vulnerable versions of SoftVision webPDF. Exploitation can lead to unauthorized internal network reconnaissance through port scanning, potentially exposing critical infrastructure and services to further attacks. The Local File Inclusion aspect can result in disclosure of sensitive files, including configuration files, credentials, or other confidential data stored on the server. This compromises confidentiality and may facilitate privilege escalation or lateral movement within the network. Since the vulnerability can be exploited without authentication and does not require user interaction, it increases the attack surface significantly. Organizations relying on webPDF for document processing in sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and enterprise environments are particularly at risk. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive mitigation, but the potential for rapid weaponization remains high once exploit code becomes available.

To mitigate CVE-2025-55853, organizations should immediately upgrade SoftVision webPDF to version 10.0.2 or later, where the vulnerability is addressed. If upgrading is not immediately feasible, implement strict input validation and sanitization on uploaded files to restrict allowed protocols and disallow file:// and http:// references within documents. Employ network segmentation and firewall rules to limit the webPDF server's ability to make arbitrary internal or external requests, effectively reducing SSRF impact. Monitor logs for unusual outbound requests originating from the webPDF service. Additionally, apply the principle of least privilege to the webPDF service account, restricting file system access to only necessary directories to limit LFI damage. Regularly audit and update all document processing tools and maintain an incident response plan for SSRF-related incidents. Finally, consider deploying Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block SSRF attack patterns targeting the PDF converter.