CVE-2026-2531 is a Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) vulnerability identified in the open-source AI platform MindsDB, specifically affecting versions 25.14.0 and 25.14.1. The flaw exists in the clear_filename function located in mindsdb/utilities/security.py, which is part of the file upload component. This function fails to properly sanitize or validate input, allowing an attacker to craft malicious requests that the server then executes internally. SSRF vulnerabilities enable attackers to make arbitrary HTTP requests from the vulnerable server, potentially accessing internal resources, metadata services, or other protected endpoints not normally reachable externally. The vulnerability can be exploited remotely without requiring user interaction or elevated privileges, increasing the attack surface. Although the CVSS 4.0 vector indicates low impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, the exploitability is relatively straightforward due to low attack complexity and no authentication needed. The vulnerability was publicly disclosed on February 16, 2026, and a patch identified by commit 74d6f0fd4b630218519a700fbee1c05c7fd4b1ed is available to remediate the issue. No known active exploitation has been reported yet. Given MindsDB’s role in AI/ML workflows, an attacker leveraging SSRF could pivot to internal systems or exfiltrate sensitive data indirectly, depending on the deployment environment and network segmentation.

For European organizations, the SSRF vulnerability in MindsDB poses a moderate risk primarily to confidentiality and potentially to availability if leveraged to access internal services or perform denial-of-service attacks. Organizations using MindsDB in cloud or hybrid environments with insufficient network segmentation are at higher risk, as attackers could exploit the SSRF to reach internal APIs, metadata services, or other sensitive infrastructure components. This could lead to unauthorized data access, lateral movement within networks, or disruption of AI/ML services critical to business operations. The impact is particularly relevant for sectors heavily reliant on AI-driven analytics and automation, such as finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and telecommunications. Additionally, organizations subject to strict data protection regulations like GDPR must consider the compliance implications of potential data exposure. While no active exploits are known, the public disclosure increases the likelihood of future attacks, making timely patching essential to reduce exposure.

European organizations should immediately apply the official patch identified by commit 74d6f0fd4b630218519a700fbee1c05c7fd4b1ed to all affected MindsDB instances. Beyond patching, implement strict network segmentation to isolate MindsDB servers from sensitive internal resources and metadata endpoints, minimizing the impact of potential SSRF exploitation. Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules to detect and block suspicious outbound requests originating from MindsDB servers. Conduct thorough input validation and sanitization on all file upload and related functionalities to prevent injection of malicious payloads. Monitor network traffic for unusual outbound connections from MindsDB hosts. Regularly audit and update dependency libraries and components to reduce the attack surface. Finally, incorporate MindsDB into vulnerability management and incident response plans to ensure rapid detection and remediation of any exploitation attempts.