CVE-2025-35028

Comprehensive Technical Analysis of CVE-2025-35028

1. Vulnerability Assessment and Severity Evaluation

CVE ID: CVE-2025-35028 CVSS Score: 9.1

The vulnerability described in CVE-2025-35028 is a command injection flaw in the EnhancedCommandExecutor class of the HexStrike AI MCP server. This vulnerability allows an attacker to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the MCP server, which typically runs as root. The CVSS score of 9.1 indicates a critical severity due to the potential for complete system compromise.

2. Potential Attack Vectors and Exploitation Methods

Attack Vectors:

• Command Injection: An attacker can provide a command-line argument starting with a semi-colon (;) to the API endpoint. This argument is not sanitized and is executed directly in the context of the MCP server’s normal privilege.
• Remote Code Execution (RCE): By exploiting this vulnerability, an attacker can execute arbitrary commands on the server, leading to remote code execution.

Exploitation Methods:

• Direct Command Execution: An attacker can send a specially crafted HTTP request to the API endpoint with a command-line argument that starts with a semi-colon. For example, ; rm -rf / could be used to delete all files on the server.
• Privilege Escalation: Since the MCP server typically runs as root, the attacker can execute commands with root privileges, leading to full system compromise.

3. Affected Systems and Software Versions

Affected Systems:

• HexStrike AI MCP server

Affected Software Versions:

• The vulnerability is present in the default configuration of the MCP server as of commit 2f3a5512 in September 2025.

4. Recommended Mitigation Strategies

Immediate Mitigation:

• Input Sanitization: Implement input sanitization to ensure that command-line arguments are properly validated and sanitized before execution.
• Least Privilege Principle: Run the MCP server with the least privileges necessary to minimize the impact of a successful exploit.
• Patch Management: Apply the latest patches and updates provided by HexStrike AI to address this vulnerability.

Long-Term Mitigation:

• Code Review: Conduct a thorough code review to identify and fix similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the codebase.
• Security Training: Provide security training for developers to ensure they are aware of common vulnerabilities and best practices for secure coding.
• Regular Audits: Perform regular security audits and penetration testing to identify and mitigate potential vulnerabilities.

5. Impact on Cybersecurity Landscape

The discovery of CVE-2025-35028 highlights the importance of input validation and proper privilege management in software development. This vulnerability underscores the need for continuous monitoring and timely patching of systems to prevent exploitation. The high CVSS score indicates the potential for significant damage, including data breaches, system compromise, and loss of service.

6. Technical Details for Security Professionals

Vulnerability Details:

• Class: Command Injection
• Location: EnhancedCommandExecutor class of the HexStrike AI MCP server
• Trigger: Command-line argument starting with a semi-colon (;)
• Privilege: Executes commands with the privileges of the MCP server, typically root

Exploitation Steps:

1. Identify the vulnerable API endpoint.
2. Craft a malicious command-line argument starting with a semi-colon.
3. Send the crafted argument to the API endpoint.
4. The MCP server executes the command with root privileges.

Detection and Monitoring:

• Log Analysis: Monitor server logs for unusual command execution patterns.
• Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS): Deploy IDS to detect and alert on suspicious activities related to command injection.
• Network Monitoring: Monitor network traffic for anomalous API requests that may indicate an exploitation attempt.

Conclusion: CVE-2025-35028 represents a critical vulnerability that can lead to severe consequences if exploited. Immediate mitigation strategies, including input sanitization and running the server with the least privileges, are essential to protect against potential attacks. Long-term measures, such as regular security audits and developer training, are crucial for maintaining a robust security posture.