Ethical Hacking News
A critical vulnerability has been discovered in the mcp-remote project, exposing over 437,000 downloads to the risk of remote code execution. The vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2025-6514, carries a CVSS score of 9.6 out of 10.0 and poses significant risks to users who rely on the tool for its ability to communicate with remote MCP servers. To mitigate this risk, users are advised to update the library to the latest version and only connect to trusted MCP servers over HTTPS.
The mcp-remote project has a critical vulnerability (CVE-2025-6514) that allows remote code execution, impacting over 437,000 downloads. The vulnerability is caused by embedding commands during initial communication establishment and authorization phase. Users are advised to update the library to version 0.1.16 to mitigate the risk. Connecting to trusted MCP servers over HTTPS can also help prevent potential exploitation.
Critical mcp-remote Vulnerability Enables Remote Code Execution, Impacting 437,000+ Downloads
In a recent discovery that has left the cybersecurity community on high alert, researchers have identified a critical vulnerability in the open-source mcp-remote project. This vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2025-6514, carries a CVSS score of 9.6 out of 10.0 and poses a significant risk to users, particularly those who rely on mcp-remote for its ability to communicate with remote MCP servers.
The mcp-remote project is a tool that was developed in response to Anthropic's release of the Model Context Protocol (MCP), an open-source framework designed to standardize the way large language model applications integrate and share data with external data sources and services. MCP clients, such as Claude Desktop, can use mcp-remote to communicate with remote MCP servers without having to run them locally on the same machine.
However, this vulnerability highlights a critical security flaw in the mcp-remote project that could allow attackers to execute arbitrary operating system (OS) commands on machines running the tool when it initiates a connection to an untrusted MCP server. This vulnerability is particularly concerning given that the mcp-remote package has been downloaded over 437,000 times.
The vulnerability is caused by how a malicious MCP server operated by a threat actor could embed a command during the initial communication establishment and authorization phase, which, when processed by mcp-remote, causes it to be executed on the underlying operating system. This means that an attacker could potentially execute arbitrary OS commands with full parameter control on Windows systems, while on macOS and Linux systems, they can only execute arbitrary executables with limited parameter control.
To mitigate this risk, users are advised to update the library to the latest version, specifically version 0.1.16, which has already been released on June 17, 2025. It is also recommended that users only connect to trusted MCP servers over HTTPS to avoid potential exploitation of this vulnerability.
This vulnerability serves as a stark reminder of the importance of regularly monitoring and updating open-source software projects, especially those with large user bases like mcp-remote. The discovery of this vulnerability highlights the need for developers and end-users alike to prioritize security and stay vigilant in protecting against emerging threats.
In addition to the mcp-remote vulnerability, researchers have also identified other critical vulnerabilities in Anthropic's Filesystem MCP Server, including CVE-2025-53110, which carries a CVSS score of 7.3 and allows attackers to access, read, or write outside of approved directories, posing significant risks for data theft and privilege escalation. Another vulnerability, CVE-2025-53109, with a CVSS score of 8.4, involves a symbolic link bypass stemming from poor error handling that can be used to point to any file on the file system, allowing an attacker to read or alter critical files.
Both vulnerabilities impact all Filesystem MCP Server versions prior to 0.6.3 and 2025.7.1, which include relevant fixes. These discoveries underscore the need for ongoing monitoring of open-source projects and the importance of staying informed about emerging security threats.
The implications of these vulnerabilities are far-reaching and underscore the critical role that cybersecurity plays in protecting against modern cyber threats. As organizations continue to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity challenges, it is essential to prioritize vigilance, proactivity, and a commitment to ongoing security assessments and updates.
In recent months, several high-profile vulnerabilities have been identified in widely used software projects, highlighting the need for developers, end-users, and security researchers to remain vigilant and proactive in protecting against emerging threats. As the threat landscape continues to evolve, it is crucial that we prioritize effective cybersecurity practices and stay informed about the latest developments and discoveries.
In conclusion, the discovery of this critical mcp-remote vulnerability serves as a stark reminder of the importance of prioritizing security and staying informed about emerging threats. By understanding the risks posed by vulnerabilities like CVE-2025-6514 and taking proactive steps to mitigate them, users can reduce their exposure to potential attacks and protect against the significant risks associated with remote code execution.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/A-Critical-mcp-remote-Vulnerability-Exposes-437000-Downloads-to-Remote-Code-Execution-Risks-ehn.shtml
Published: Thu Jul 10 17:17:23 2025 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
