Source URL: https://embracethered.com/blog/posts/2025/cursor-data-exfiltration-with-mermaid/
Source: Embrace The Red
Title: Cursor IDE: Arbitrary Data Exfiltration Via Mermaid (CVE-2025-54132)
Feedly Summary: Cursor is a popular AI code editor. In this post I want to share how I found an interesting data exfiltration issue, the demo exploits built and how it got fixed.
When using Cursor I noticed that it can render Mermaid diagrams.
Cursor Renders Mermaid Diagrams If you are not familiar with Mermaid, it has a simple syntax:
graph TD User –> Computer This will create a diagram as follows:
AI Summary and Description: Yes
Summary: The text discusses a security issue related to the popular AI code editor, Cursor, specifically focusing on a data exfiltration vulnerability that was discovered, demonstrated, and subsequently fixed. This brings attention to the importance of security measures in AI tools and code editors, which are increasingly used in software development processes.
Detailed Description:
The content revolves around a vulnerability found in Cursor, an AI-driven code editor, which highlights critical security considerations in the context of AI software usage. The identified issue relates to data exfiltration, underscoring essential aspects of security in software development environments. Here are the significant points of interest:
– **Data Exfiltration Vulnerability**:
– The author uncovered a specific vulnerability that allowed data to be transferred outside the system without authorization.
– The discussion provides insight into how such vulnerabilities can exist even in modern AI tools like code editors.
– **Demonstrating Exploits**:
– The researcher built demo exploits to showcase how the vulnerability could be leveraged, emphasizing the risks associated with insecure coding practices.
– The demos serve as a valuable resource for developers to understand the implications of coding vulnerabilities.
– **Resolution of the Issue**:
– The text highlights how the vulnerability was eventually fixed, illustrating the importance of ongoing security testing and updates in software.
– It demonstrates the necessity for developers to remain vigilant about security updates and patches.
– **Use of Mermaid Diagrams**:
– The post briefly mentions Cursor’s ability to render Mermaid diagrams, a relevant feature for visually representing code flows and structures.
– While this may seem tangential, it illustrates the growing functionality within AI tools and the need to ensure that these features do not compromise security.
This analysis serves as a wake-up call for developers and organizations to prioritize security in AI-integrated environments, particularly in terms of identifying and managing vulnerabilities to protect sensitive data.