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Critical · 9.4 CVE-2025-58438 EUVD-2025-27084GHSA-wx3r-v6h7-frjpPYSEC-2026-357

internetarchive is vulnerable to Directory Traversal through file downloads

Published Sep 6, 2025 · Updated Nov 3, 2025 · Assigned by GitHub_M

Description

internetarchive is a Python and Command-Line Interface to Archive.org In versions 5.5.0 and below, there is a directory traversal (path traversal) vulnerability in the File.download() method of the internetarchive library. The file.download() method does not properly sanitize user-supplied filenames or validate the final download path. A maliciously crafted filename could contain path traversal sequences (e.g., ../../../../windows/system32/file.txt) or illegal characters that, when processed, would cause the file to be written outside of the intended target directory. An attacker could potentially overwrite critical system files or application configuration files, leading to a denial of service, privilege escalation, or remote code execution, depending on the context in which the library is used. The vulnerability is particularly critical for users on Windows systems, but all operating systems are affected. This issue is fixed in version 5.5.1.

Affected products

VendorProductAffectedFixed
jjjake internetarchive < 5.5.1 —

Fixed in Linux distributions

Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.

ReleasePackageFixed inAdvisory
Debian 14 python-internetarchive 5.5.1-1 —
Debian 13 python-internetarchive 5.4.0-2~deb13u1 DSA-6035-1
Debian 12 python-internetarchive 3.3.0-2~deb12u1 DSA-6035-1
Debian 11 python-internetarchive 1.9.9-1+deb11u1 DLA-4314-1
ReleasePackageFixed inAdvisory
Ubuntu 25.10 python-internetarchive 5.4.0-1ubuntu0.1 USN-7989-1
Ubuntu 22.04 LTS python-internetarchive 1.9.9-1ubuntu0.1 USN-7989-1
Show 2 more (older releases, extended support, other products)
ReleasePackageFixed inAdvisory
Ubuntu Pro 24.04 LTS python-internetarchive 3.5.0-1ubuntu0.1~esm1 USN-7989-1
Ubuntu Pro 20.04 LTS python-internetarchive 1.9.0-3ubuntu0.1~esm1 USN-7989-1

Affected packages

EcosystemPackageAffectedFixedRecord
PyPI internetarchive < 5.5.1 5.5.1 GHSA-wx3r-v6h7-frjp

Advisories 3

References