CVE-2025-9136 libretro RetroArch file_stream.c filestream_vscanf out-of-bounds
A local attacker can trigger an out-of-bounds read in RetroArch, potentially exposing memory or causing a crash.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2025-9136?
CVE-2025-9136 is a medium-severity memory corruption vulnerability in libretro RetroArch, published on 19 Aug 2025. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
A flaw has been found in libretro RetroArch 1.18.0/1.19.0/1.20.0. This affects the function filestream_vscanf of the file libretro-common/streams/file_stream.c. This manipulation causes out-of-bounds read. The attack needs to be launched locally. Upgrading to version 1.21.0 mitigates this issue. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2025-9136?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Libretro Retroarch.
How do I fix CVE-2025-9136?
Upgrade to a fixed version.
Upgrade to the fixed version. Memory-safe languages, compiler hardening and fuzzing prevent most new cases. More about Memory corruption.
Is CVE-2025-9136 being exploited?
It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2025-9136 exists.
Other vulnerabilities in libretro RetroArch
Sources
Also known as DEBIAN-CVE-2025-9136, GHSA-6fq3-c5x5-4x7c, UBUNTU-CVE-2025-9136.