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

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2025-47273 is a high (CVSS 8.8) vulnerability in debian debian_linux. EPSS estimates a 1.59% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 75.7% of scored vulnerabilities. 1 public exploit is recorded.

Timeline

1. 17-05-2025
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 28-05-2025
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

Description

setuptools is a package that allows users to download, build, install, upgrade, and uninstall Python packages. A path traversal vulnerability in `PackageIndex` is present in setuptools prior to version 78.1.1. 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 remote code execution depending on the context. Version 78.1.1 fixes the issue.

• CWE-22Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted DirectoryThe product uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the product does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted directory.