CVE-2025-5273Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Arbitrary host-file read via unrestricted file path

Published May 29, 2025 · Updated Jul 26, 2026

File exposure in Zach Caceres mcp-markdownify-server before 1.0.0 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary host files via crafted prompts. The get-markdown-file implementation passes its caller-supplied path to existence and UTF-8 file-read operations without restricting the extension or allowed directory. Exploitation requires an MCP host to access attacker-controlled content and act on its embedded instruction; disclosure is limited to files readable by the server account.

CVSS severity8.2
High
EPSS probability0.39%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

File exposure in Zach Caceres mcp-markdownify-server before 1.0.0 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary host files via crafted prompts. The get-markdown-file implementation passes its caller-supplied path to existence and UTF-8 file-read operations without restricting the extension or allowed directory. Exploitation requires an MCP host to access attacker-controlled content and act on its embedded instruction; disclosure is limited to files readable by the server account.

The record

CVE
CVE-2025-5273
Published
May 29, 2025
Updated
Jul 26, 2026
Vendor
Zach Caceres
Product
mcp-markdownify-server
Classifications
CWE-552, T1005
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. May 29, 2025CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Jul 26, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=0 <1.0.0

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Zach Caceres · mcp-markdownify-serverversion=0 <1.0.0

Published CVSS scores

8.2SnykCVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:A/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:H/SI:N/SA:N
6.9SnykCVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:A/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:H/SI:N/SA:N/E:P

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-552Files or Directories Accessible to External Parties
T1005Data from Local System

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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