CVE-2025-61489 identifies a command injection vulnerability in the shell_exec function of sonirico mcp-shell version 0.3.1. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation or sanitization of command strings passed to shell_exec, a PHP function that executes commands on the underlying operating system shell. An attacker can supply a crafted command string that the application executes directly, enabling arbitrary command execution on the host system. This flaw does not require any authentication or user interaction, making it remotely exploitable over the network (AV:N, PR:N, UI:N). The CVSS vector indicates low attack complexity (AC:L) and an unchanged scope (S:U), meaning the vulnerability affects only the vulnerable component. The impact affects confidentiality and integrity (C:L, I:L) but not availability (A:N), implying attackers could access or modify sensitive data or system state but not disrupt service availability. No patches or fixes have been published yet, and no known exploits have been observed in the wild, suggesting the vulnerability is newly disclosed or not yet weaponized. The underlying CWE is CWE-77, which covers improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, a common source of command injection issues. Organizations using sonirico mcp-shell should consider this a significant risk due to the ease of exploitation and potential for unauthorized system control.

For European organizations, the vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized command execution leading to data leakage, system compromise, or unauthorized changes to system configurations. While availability is not directly impacted, the breach of confidentiality and integrity can lead to regulatory non-compliance, reputational damage, and potential lateral movement within networks. Critical infrastructure or sectors relying on sonirico mcp-shell for management or automation could face targeted attacks aiming to manipulate system behavior or exfiltrate sensitive information. The lack of authentication requirement increases the attack surface, especially for internet-facing deployments. Organizations in Europe with strict data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR) must consider the legal and financial implications of a breach resulting from this vulnerability.

Immediate mitigation steps include restricting network access to the sonirico mcp-shell service using firewalls or network segmentation to limit exposure. Implement strict input validation and sanitization on all inputs passed to shell_exec or replace the use of shell_exec with safer alternatives that do not invoke the shell directly. Monitor logs and system behavior for unusual command execution patterns indicative of exploitation attempts. Conduct vulnerability scanning and penetration testing focused on command injection vectors. Until an official patch is released, consider deploying application-layer firewalls or intrusion prevention systems with custom rules to detect and block malicious command strings. Educate developers and administrators about secure coding practices to prevent similar injection flaws. Maintain an incident response plan to quickly isolate and remediate affected systems if exploitation is detected.