CVE-2025-69194: Wget2: arbitrary file write via metalink path traversal in gnu wget2

Severity: critical (CVSS 9.8 v3.1)
Exploited in the wild: not listed in CISA KEV
EPSS: 0.8% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days
Public exploit or detection template: none known
Published: 2026-01-09 · updated 2026-06-17
Weakness: CWE-22

Description

A security issue was discovered in GNU Wget2 when handling Metalink documents. The application fails to properly validate file paths provided in Metalink <file name> elements. An attacker can abuse this behavior to write files to unintended locations on the system. This can lead to data loss or potentially allow further compromise of the user’s environment.

Affected products

gnu wget2: before 2.2.1 — fixed in 2.2.1

How to fix

Upgrade to a fixed version: gnu wget2 2.2.1. Check the vendor advisory for mitigations.

References

https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2025-69194
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2425773

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