CVE-2025-9136: A flaw has been found in libretro RetroArch 1.18.0/1.19.0/1.20.0

Routine

MEDIUM 5.3DOWNGRADE

CVE-2025-9136 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.3) affecting retroarch. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

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.

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.3 (Medium)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.2% (top 90%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-119, CWE-125
Published	2025-08-19
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): VulDB · Vendor: libretro

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2025-08-19 12:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 10:08 UTCUpdated Record last modified

libretro retroarch DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.18.0 · 1.19.0 · 1.20.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.18.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy retroarch || rpm -q retroarch || retroarch --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.18.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison retroarch sudo apt install retroarch=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.18.0> sudo apt-mark hold retroarch

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list retroarch sudo dnf downgrade retroarch-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.18.0> sudo dnf versionlock add retroarch

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2025-9136?

retroarch: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2025-9136 being exploited?

CVE-2025-9136 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2025-9136 affect?

CVE-2025-9136 affects retroarch. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.3). 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 lo

How urgent is CVE-2025-9136?

Priority 21/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

References

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