Vulnerability details

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.

• https://github.com/jjjake/internetarchive/security/advisories/GHSA-wx3r-v6h7-frjp x_refsource_CONFIRM
• https://github.com/jjjake/internetarchive/commit/cba2d459e10a9489fb35caeba0b03e80f5f5d7c2 x_refsource_MISC
• https://github.com/jjjake/internetarchive/releases/tag/v5.5.1 x_refsource_MISC
• https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/09/msg00030.html