CVE-2025-65512 identifies a Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) vulnerability in the markdownify-mcp library, specifically in its webpage-to-markdown conversion functionality. SSRF vulnerabilities occur when an attacker can manipulate a server to make HTTP requests to arbitrary locations, often internal network resources that are otherwise inaccessible externally. In this case, markdownify-mcp versions 0.0.2 and earlier fail to properly enforce private IP restrictions. The vulnerability exploits hostname-based bypass techniques and HTTP redirect chains to circumvent these restrictions, allowing an attacker to reach internal services that should be protected by network segmentation or firewall rules. The vulnerability requires no authentication or user interaction, increasing its risk profile. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 reflects a high severity due to the potential confidentiality impact, as attackers can access sensitive internal endpoints. However, the vulnerability does not affect data integrity or availability. No patches have been published yet, and no active exploitation has been reported. The weakness is categorized under CWE-918, which covers SSRF issues. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where markdownify-mcp is used to process external URLs or user-supplied content, as it can be leveraged to perform internal reconnaissance or access sensitive services such as metadata APIs, internal admin panels, or databases. The lack of authentication and user interaction requirements means automated exploitation is feasible. Organizations relying on this library should urgently assess their exposure and implement mitigations to prevent SSRF attacks.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-65512 can be significant, especially for those using markdownify-mcp in web applications or internal tooling that processes external URLs. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to internal network services, potentially exposing sensitive information such as configuration data, internal APIs, or administrative interfaces. This can facilitate further lateral movement or data exfiltration within the network. The confidentiality breach risk is high, although integrity and availability are not directly impacted by this vulnerability. Organizations with strict network segmentation and private IP restrictions may have a false sense of security, as this SSRF bypass undermines those controls. The vulnerability could also be leveraged as a stepping stone for more complex attacks, including privilege escalation or supply chain compromises if internal services are accessed. The absence of known exploits in the wild provides a window for proactive defense, but the ease of exploitation and lack of required authentication increase urgency. European sectors with critical infrastructure, finance, healthcare, and government services are particularly at risk due to the sensitivity of their internal networks and the potential impact of data exposure.

To mitigate CVE-2025-65512, European organizations should take several specific actions beyond generic SSRF defenses: 1) Immediately audit all instances of markdownify-mcp usage, especially versions 0.0.2 and earlier, and restrict or disable the webpage-to-markdown conversion feature if possible until patched. 2) Implement strict outbound request filtering on servers running markdownify-mcp, limiting HTTP requests to only trusted external domains and blocking private IP ranges at the network or application firewall level. 3) Enforce robust hostname validation and avoid following HTTP redirects blindly during URL fetching to prevent redirect chain bypasses. 4) Monitor logs for unusual internal network access patterns originating from markdownify-mcp processes or related services. 5) Employ network segmentation and zero-trust principles to minimize the impact of any SSRF exploitation by isolating sensitive internal services. 6) Engage with the markdownify-mcp maintainers or community to track patch releases and apply updates promptly once available. 7) Consider deploying Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with SSRF detection capabilities to block suspicious requests. 8) Educate developers and security teams about SSRF risks and secure coding practices related to URL fetching and content processing.