CVE-2025-68696 identifies a Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) vulnerability in the httparty library, a popular Ruby-based HTTP client used for API interactions. Versions 0.23.2 and prior are vulnerable, allowing unauthenticated attackers to craft malicious requests that the server then executes. SSRF vulnerabilities enable attackers to bypass network access controls by leveraging the server as a proxy to send requests to internal systems or external endpoints. In this case, exploitation can lead to leakage of sensitive information such as API keys embedded in requests or responses, and unauthorized access to internal services that are not directly exposed to the internet. The vulnerability does not require any privileges or user interaction, increasing its risk profile. The issue was addressed and patched in a subsequent commit (0529bcd), and users are advised to upgrade. The CVSS 4.0 base score of 7.8 reflects high severity due to network attack vector, no required privileges or user interaction, and high impact on confidentiality. While no known exploits have been reported in the wild, the vulnerability's characteristics make it a significant threat to applications relying on httparty for HTTP requests, especially in complex internal network environments.

For European organizations, this SSRF vulnerability poses a significant risk to confidentiality and internal network security. Exploitation can lead to unauthorized disclosure of API keys, which may grant attackers access to critical cloud services, databases, or third-party APIs. Additionally, attackers can use the SSRF to pivot within internal networks, potentially accessing sensitive systems that are otherwise protected by firewalls. This can result in data breaches, service disruptions, or further lateral movement by threat actors. Organizations with complex microservice architectures or internal APIs are particularly vulnerable. The vulnerability's ease of exploitation and lack of required authentication increase the likelihood of attacks, which could impact sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government services across Europe. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers often develop exploits rapidly after public disclosure.

European organizations should immediately upgrade all instances of httparty to versions later than 0.23.2 where the SSRF vulnerability is patched. Conduct a thorough inventory of applications and services using httparty to ensure no vulnerable versions remain in production or development environments. Implement strict input validation and sanitization on all user-supplied URLs or parameters that may be used in HTTP requests to prevent malicious request injection. Employ network segmentation and firewall rules to restrict server access to only necessary internal resources, limiting the potential impact of SSRF exploitation. Monitor outbound traffic from servers running httparty for unusual or unauthorized requests to internal or external endpoints. Use runtime application self-protection (RASP) or web application firewalls (WAFs) configured to detect and block SSRF attack patterns. Finally, review and rotate any API keys or credentials that may have been exposed or are at risk due to this vulnerability.