CVE-2025-64252 is a Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) vulnerability identified in the ANAC XML Viewer software developed by Marco Milesi, affecting versions up to and including 1.8.2. SSRF vulnerabilities occur when an attacker can manipulate a server-side application to send HTTP requests to arbitrary domains or IP addresses, often bypassing firewall rules or accessing internal network resources that are otherwise inaccessible externally. In this case, the vulnerability allows an attacker with low privileges (PR:L) and no user interaction (UI:N) to cause the ANAC XML Viewer server to initiate requests to unintended destinations. The attack complexity is high (AC:H), indicating that exploitation requires specific conditions or knowledge, reducing the likelihood of widespread exploitation. The CVSS vector indicates a network attack vector (AV:N), with a scope change (S:C), meaning the vulnerability can impact resources beyond the initially vulnerable component. The impact on confidentiality and integrity is low (C:L/I:L), with no impact on availability (A:N). This suggests that while some sensitive data could be exposed or altered, the system's operational continuity is not directly threatened. No known public exploits or patches are currently available, emphasizing the importance of proactive mitigation. The vulnerability is particularly relevant for environments where ANAC XML Viewer processes XML data that could be manipulated to trigger SSRF, potentially exposing internal services or metadata endpoints. Given the nature of SSRF, attackers might leverage this to pivot into internal networks, access cloud metadata services, or perform port scanning from the victim server's perspective.

For European organizations, this SSRF vulnerability poses a moderate risk primarily to confidentiality and integrity of internal network resources. Organizations using ANAC XML Viewer in sectors such as government, finance, or critical infrastructure could face unauthorized disclosure of sensitive internal services or data. The ability to induce server-side requests might allow attackers to bypass perimeter defenses, access internal APIs, or gather intelligence for further attacks. Although the vulnerability does not affect availability, the potential for lateral movement or data leakage could have regulatory and reputational consequences, especially under GDPR and other data protection frameworks. The medium severity rating reflects the need for attention but also indicates that exploitation is not trivial. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate it, as attackers may develop exploits once the vulnerability details are widely known. Organizations with segmented networks and strict egress filtering may reduce the impact, but those with less mature network controls could be more vulnerable. Additionally, the scope change in the CVSS vector suggests that the vulnerability could affect components beyond the ANAC XML Viewer itself, increasing the potential impact in complex environments.

To mitigate CVE-2025-64252, European organizations should implement several targeted controls beyond generic advice: 1) Restrict outbound network traffic from servers running ANAC XML Viewer to only necessary destinations using firewall rules or network segmentation, minimizing the SSRF attack surface. 2) Apply strict input validation and sanitization on all XML inputs processed by the viewer to prevent injection of malicious URLs or payloads that trigger SSRF. 3) Monitor and log outbound HTTP requests from the application server to detect anomalous or unexpected destinations indicative of exploitation attempts. 4) Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block SSRF patterns targeting the ANAC XML Viewer. 5) Engage with the vendor or community to obtain patches or updates as soon as they become available and prioritize their deployment. 6) Conduct internal penetration testing focusing on SSRF vectors within the XML processing workflows to identify and remediate weaknesses. 7) Limit the privileges of the ANAC XML Viewer service account to reduce the potential impact of exploitation. 8) Educate developers and administrators about SSRF risks and secure coding practices related to XML processing. These measures collectively reduce the likelihood and impact of exploitation while awaiting official patches.