libretro RetroArch 1.18.0/1.19.0/1.20.0 file_stream.c filestream_vscanf out-of-bounds

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as problematic was found in libretro RetroArch 1.18.0/1.19.0/1.20.0. This impacts the function filestream_vscanf of the file libretro-common/streams/file_stream.c. Such manipulation leads to out-of-bounds. This vulnerability is documented as CVE-2025-9136. The attack needs to be performed locally. There is not any exploit available. Upgrading the affected component is advised.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in libretro RetroArch 1.18.0/1.19.0/1.20.0. It has been rated as problematic. Affected by this issue is the function filestream_vscanf of the file libretro-common/streams/file_stream.c. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a out-of-bounds vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-125. The product reads data past the end, or before the beginning, of the intended buffer. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

The weakness was released by Simcha Kosman as 17555. The advisory is shared for download at github.com. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2025-9136. The exploitation is known to be easy. The attack needs to be approached locally. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 260115 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-9136), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 1.21.0 eliminates this vulnerability. The upgrade is hosted for download at github.com. Applying a patch is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at github.com. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at Tenable (260115) and EUVD (EUVD-2025-25164). Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Vendor

• libretro

Name

• RetroArch

Version

• 1.18.0
• 1.19.0
• 1.20.0

Website

• Product: https://github.com/libretro/RetroArch/

CPE 2.3info

• 🔒
• 🔒
• 🔒

CPE 2.2info

• 🔒
• 🔒
• 🔒

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CNA CVSS-B Score: 🔒
CNA CVSS-BT Score: 🔒
CNA Vector: 🔒

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 6.1
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.1

VulDB Base Score: 5.3
VulDB Temp Score: 5.1
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 7.8
NVD Vector: 🔒

CNA Base Score: 5.3
CNA Vector: 🔒

CVSSv2info

AV	AC	Au	C	I	A
💳	💳	💳	💳	💳	💳
💳	💳	💳	💳	💳	💳
💳	💳	💳	💳	💳	💳

Vector	Complexity	Authentication	Confidentiality	Integrity	Availability
Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock
Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock
Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock

VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Out-of-bounds
CWE: CWE-125 / CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: No

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

0-Day	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock
Today	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock

Nessus ID: 260115
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-9136

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: RetroArch 1.21.0
Patch: github.com

Timelineinfo

08/19/2025 Advisory disclosed
08/19/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
09/12/2025 +24 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Product: github.com

Advisory: 17555
Researcher: Simcha Kosman
Status: Confirmed
Confirmation: 🔒

CVE: CVE-2025-9136 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-9136
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-320516
EUVD: 🔒

Entryinfo

Created: 08/19/2025 07:36
Updated: 09/12/2025 17:40
Changes: 08/19/2025 07:36 (59), 08/19/2025 14:32 (30), 08/19/2025 16:12 (1), 09/01/2025 16:34 (2), 09/12/2025 17:40 (12)
Complete: 🔍
Submitter: simkca
Cache ID: 216::103

Submitinfo

Accepted

• Submit #617657: libretro RetroArch v1.20.0/v1.19.0/v1.18.0 Out-of-Bounds Read (by simkca)

Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

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