CVE-2025-47273: setuptools has a path traversal vulnerability in PackageIndex.download that leads to Arbitrary File Write

Published May 17, 2025
·
Updated

### Summary A path traversal vulnerability in `PackageIndex` was fixed in setuptools version 78.1.1 ### Details ``` def _download_url(self, url, tmpdir): # Determine download filename # name, _fragment = egg_info_for_url(url) if name: while '..' in name: name = name.replace('..', '.').replace('\\', '_') else: name = "__downloaded__" # default if URL has no path contents if name.endswith('.[egg.zip](http://egg.zip/)'): name = name[:-4] # strip the extra .zip before download --> filename = os.path.join(tmpdir, name) ``` Here: https://github.com/pypa/setuptools/blob/6ead555c5fb29bc57fe6105b1bffc163f56fd558/setuptools/package_index.py#L810C1-L825C88 `os.path.join()` discards the first argument `tmpdir` if the second begins with a slash or drive letter. `name` is derived from a URL without sufficient sanitization. While there is some attempt to sanitize by replacing instances of '..' with '.', it is insufficient. ### Risk Assessment As easy_install and package_index are deprecated, the exploitation surface is reduced. However, it seems this could be exploited in a similar fashion like https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-r9hx-vwmv-q579, and as described by POC 4 in https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-cx63-2mw6-8hw5 report: via malicious URLs present on the pages of a package index. ### Impact An attacker would be allowed to write files to arbitrary locations on the filesystem with the permissions of the process running the Python code, which could escalate to RCE depending on the context. ### References https://huntr.com/bounties/d6362117-ad57-4e83-951f-b8141c6e7ca5 https://github.com/pypa/setuptools/issues/4946

Affected Software

6 affected componentsFixes available
Python Software Foundation setuptools<78.1.1
Python setuptools<78.1.1
Debian Debian Linux=11.0
pip/setuptools<78.1.1
78.1.1
Microsoft azl3 python-setuptools 69.0.3-5
IBM Knowledge Catalog Standard Cartridge<=5.0.0, 5.0.1, 5.0.2, 5.0.3, 5.1, 5.1.1, 5,1.2, 5.1.3, 5.2.0, 5.2.1

Event History

May 17, 2025
CVE Published
via MITRE·03:46 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·03:46 PM
DescriptionWeakness
Data Sourced
via Red Hat·04:01 PM
DescriptionSeverityAffected Software
May 19, 2025
Advisory Published
via GitHub·04:52 PM
Data Sourced
via GitHub·04:52 PM
DescriptionWeaknessAffected Software
May 30, 2025
Data Sourced
via Microsoft·07:00 AM
DescriptionSeverityWeakness
Data Sourced
via Microsoft·07:00 AM
Affected Software
Updated
via Microsoft·07:00 AM
DescriptionSeverity
Mar 25, 2026
Data Sourced
via IBM·12:00 AM
DescriptionAffected Software
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Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2025-47273?

CVE-2025-47273 has a medium severity rating due to its path traversal vulnerability that can lead to arbitrary file writing.

2

How do I fix CVE-2025-47273?

To fix CVE-2025-47273, upgrade setuptools to version 78.1.1 or later.

3

What does CVE-2025-47273 affect?

CVE-2025-47273 affects setuptools versions prior to 78.1.1.

4

What is a path traversal vulnerability like in CVE-2025-47273?

A path traversal vulnerability like CVE-2025-47273 allows attackers to write files to arbitrary locations on the filesystem.

5

Who is responsible for the CVE-2025-47273 vulnerability?

The CVE-2025-47273 vulnerability is related to the setuptools package maintained by the Python Software Foundation.

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CVE-2025-47273 - setuptools has a path traversal vulnerability in PackageIndex.download that leads to Arbitrary File Write - SecAlerts