Security audit

Ahrefs MCP

Security checks for vulnerabilities and agentic risk

Overview

This skill is a straightforward guide for connecting an AI client to Ahrefs MCP for SEO data, with expected account authorization and API usage considerations.

Install only if you trust the AI client you connect to Ahrefs. Review the requested permissions, set monthly API unit limits where possible, monitor usage, and revoke the MCP API key when you no longer need it.

A.I.G

Vulnerability Patterns

Skill Instruction HijackingAlters the agent's session goals or safety constraints when the skill loads
Agent Memory PoisoningWrites attacker-controlled rules into memory that affect later sessions
Remote Payload Retrieval and ExecutionFetches external code whose behavior can change after review
Embedded Malicious CodeShips malicious scripts inside the skill and executes them locally
Unauthorized Access and Privilege EscalationObtains permissions beyond the task's legitimate needs

SkillSpector

Vulnerability Patterns

Data ExfiltrationExternal Transmission, Env Variable Harvesting, File System Enumeration
Prompt InjectionInstruction Override, Hidden Instructions, Exfiltration Commands
Privilege EscalationExcessive Permissions, Sudo/Root Execution, Credential Access
Supply ChainUnpinned Dependencies, External Script Fetching, Obfuscated Code
Excessive AgencyUnrestricted Tool Access, Autonomous Decision Making, Scope Creep

Findings (10)

External Transmission

Medium

Category: Data Exfiltration
Confidence: 50% confidence
Finding: Data is being sent to an external URL. This could be legitimate telemetry or data exfiltration. Manual review is recommended.
Content: Scanner excerpt · SKILL.md (reported line 15)May include surrounding context.
Use the Streamable HTTP endpoint (recommended):

text
https://api.ahrefs.com/mcp/mcp

Legacy SSE endpoint (deprecated in many tools):

External Transmission

Medium

Category: Data Exfiltration
Confidence: 50% confidence
Finding: Data is being sent to an external URL. This could be legitimate telemetry or data exfiltration. Manual review is recommended.
Content: Scanner excerpt · SKILL.md (reported line 91)May include surrounding context.
Use the Streamable HTTP endpoint (recommended):

text
https://api.ahrefs.com/mcp/mcp

Legacy SSE endpoint (deprecated in many tools):

External Transmission

Medium

Category: Data Exfiltration
Confidence: 50% confidence
Finding: Data is being sent to an external URL. This could be legitimate telemetry or data exfiltration. Manual review is recommended.
Content: Scanner excerpt · references/setup.md (reported line 14)May include surrounding context.
Use the Streamable HTTP endpoint (recommended):

text
https://api.ahrefs.com/mcp/mcp

Legacy SSE endpoint (deprecated in many tools):

External Transmission

Medium

Category: Data Exfiltration
Confidence: 50% confidence
Finding: Data is being sent to an external URL. This could be legitimate telemetry or data exfiltration. Manual review is recommended.
Content: Scanner excerpt · references/setup.md (reported line 19)May include surrounding context.
Use the Streamable HTTP endpoint (recommended):

text
https://api.ahrefs.com/mcp/mcp

Legacy SSE endpoint (deprecated in many tools):

External Transmission

Medium

Category: Data Exfiltration
Confidence: 50% confidence
Finding: Data is being sent to an external URL. This could be legitimate telemetry or data exfiltration. Manual review is recommended.
Content: Scanner excerpt · references/setup.md (reported line 29)May include surrounding context.
Use the Streamable HTTP endpoint (recommended):

text
https://api.ahrefs.com/mcp/mcp

Legacy SSE endpoint (deprecated in many tools):

External Transmission

Medium

Category: Data Exfiltration
Confidence: 50% confidence
Finding: Data is being sent to an external URL. This could be legitimate telemetry or data exfiltration. Manual review is recommended.
Content: Scanner excerpt · references/setup.md (reported line 40)May include surrounding context.
Use the Streamable HTTP endpoint (recommended):

text
https://api.ahrefs.com/mcp/mcp

Legacy SSE endpoint (deprecated in many tools):

External Transmission

Medium

Category: Data Exfiltration
Confidence: 50% confidence
Finding: Data is being sent to an external URL. This could be legitimate telemetry or data exfiltration. Manual review is recommended.
Content: Scanner excerpt · references/setup.md (reported line 50)May include surrounding context.
Use the Streamable HTTP endpoint (recommended):

text
https://api.ahrefs.com/mcp/mcp

Legacy SSE endpoint (deprecated in many tools):

External Transmission

Medium

Category: Data Exfiltration
Confidence: 50% confidence
Finding: Data is being sent to an external URL. This could be legitimate telemetry or data exfiltration. Manual review is recommended.
Content: Scanner excerpt · references/setup.md (reported line 60)May include surrounding context.
Use the Streamable HTTP endpoint (recommended):

text
https://api.ahrefs.com/mcp/mcp

Legacy SSE endpoint (deprecated in many tools):

External Transmission

Medium

Category: Data Exfiltration
Confidence: 50% confidence
Finding: Data is being sent to an external URL. This could be legitimate telemetry or data exfiltration. Manual review is recommended.
Content: Scanner excerpt · references/setup.md (reported line 151)May include surrounding context.
Use the Streamable HTTP endpoint (recommended):

text
https://api.ahrefs.com/mcp/mcp

Legacy SSE endpoint (deprecated in many tools):

Missing User Warnings

Medium

Category: Not specified by scanner
Confidence: 91% confidence
Finding: The setup guide tells users to authorize the MCP connection and notes that an API key will be generated, but it does not clearly warn that connecting the server exposes Ahrefs account data to the AI client and consumes billable API units. In a skill whose purpose is to connect a third-party AI tool to account-scoped SEO data, omission of that warning can lead users to authorize access without understanding privacy and cost implications.
Content: No source excerpt is available for this finding.

Static analysis

No suspicious patterns detected.