CVE-2025-6167 is a medium-severity path traversal vulnerability identified in the python-a2a library developed by themanojdesai, affecting versions up to 0.5.5. The flaw resides in the create_workflow function within the python_a2a/agent_flow/server/api.py file. Path traversal vulnerabilities allow an attacker to manipulate file paths to access directories and files outside the intended scope, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive files or system resources. In this case, the vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker with local network access (Attack Vector: Adjacent) and requires low privileges (PR:L), but no user interaction or authentication is necessary. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability at a low level, as indicated by the CVSS 4.0 base score of 5.1. The attack complexity is low, meaning exploitation is straightforward once access to the network is obtained. The vulnerability does not affect system scope or require special privileges beyond low-level access, and there are no known exploits in the wild as of the publication date (June 17, 2025). The recommended remediation is to upgrade python-a2a to version 0.5.6, where the issue has been addressed. The python-a2a library is typically used in automation and workflow orchestration contexts, which may be integrated into larger systems or services.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability depends on the extent to which python-a2a is used within their infrastructure. Organizations leveraging python-a2a for automation or workflow management could face unauthorized access to sensitive files or configuration data, potentially leading to information disclosure or disruption of automated processes. While the vulnerability requires adjacent network access and low privileges, it could be leveraged by internal threat actors or attackers who have gained limited network foothold. This could compromise the confidentiality and integrity of workflows, potentially affecting business operations. However, the medium severity and limited attack vector reduce the likelihood of widespread critical impact. Industries with high automation reliance, such as manufacturing, finance, or critical infrastructure, may face operational risks if workflows are disrupted or manipulated. The absence of known exploits suggests that immediate risk is moderate, but organizations should act promptly to patch and audit usage of the affected library to prevent potential exploitation.

1. Upgrade python-a2a to version 0.5.6 or later immediately to remediate the vulnerability. 2. Conduct an inventory of all systems and applications using python-a2a to ensure no instances remain on vulnerable versions. 3. Implement network segmentation and strict access controls to limit adjacent network access to trusted users and systems, reducing the attack surface. 4. Review and harden workflow configurations and file path handling within applications using python-a2a to prevent misuse or injection of malicious paths. 5. Monitor logs and network traffic for unusual file access patterns or attempts to exploit path traversal. 6. Incorporate static and dynamic code analysis in the development lifecycle to detect similar path traversal issues early. 7. Educate developers and system administrators about secure coding practices related to file path validation and sanitization.