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CVE-2025-68146VulnerabilityPublished Updated

Python filelock:

Affects python-filelockSource GCVE Database

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Authoritative record:CVE-2025-68146· Medium 6.3

Not known to be exploited · CVSS 6.3 Medium · fixed in 3.0.4-1ubuntu0.1~esm1 : update python-filelock when convenient.

Data as of 9 Nov 2026, 14:32 UTC

CVSS 3.1 base score
6.3Medium
How severe the flaw is on the 0–10 CVSS scale.
Patch
Available – fixed in 3.0.4-1ubuntu0.1~esm1, 3.6.0-1ubuntu0.1~esm1, 3.13.1-1ubuntu0.1~esm1
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H

Exploitation evidence

  1. Disclosed: evidence found.

    CVE published 16 Dec 2025

  2. Detectable: no evidence on record.

    No public nuclei template indexed

  3. Weaponized: no evidence on record.

    No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB

  4. Exploited in the wild: no evidence on record.

    Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation

  5. Observed by OffSeq Mirage: no evidence on record.

    No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors

A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 9 Nov 2026.

What to do

Upgrade the Ubuntu python-filelock to 3.0.4-1ubuntu0.1~esm1 (package) or 3.6.0-1ubuntu0.1~esm1 (package) or 3.13.1-1ubuntu0.1~esm1 (package).

Affected software

ProductAffectedFixed in
Ubuntu 26.10python-filelockpkg:deb/ubuntu/python-filelock?arch=source&distro=stonkingOther threatsAffected
  • 3.20.3-1 – 3.32.2-1
4 affected builds
Fixed in–
Ubuntu 25.10python-filelockpkg:deb/ubuntu/python-filelock?arch=source&distro=questingOther threatsAffected
  • =3.18.0-1
Fixed in–
Ubuntu Pro 24.04 LTSpython-filelockpkg:deb/ubuntu/python-filelock?arch=source&distro=esm-apps/nobleOther threatsAffected
  • <3.13.1-1ubuntu0.1~esm1
Fixed in
  • 3.13.1-1ubuntu0.1~esm1
Ubuntu Pro 22.04 LTSpython-filelockpkg:deb/ubuntu/python-filelock?arch=source&distro=esm-apps/jammyOther threatsAffected
  • <3.6.0-1ubuntu0.1~esm1
Fixed in
  • 3.6.0-1ubuntu0.1~esm1
Ubuntu Pro 18.04 LTSpython-filelockpkg:deb/ubuntu/python-filelock?arch=source&distro=esm-apps/bionicOther threatsAffected
  • <3.0.4-1ubuntu0.1~esm1
Fixed in
  • 3.0.4-1ubuntu0.1~esm1

Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.

AI-suggested

A fix is available in filelock version 3.20.1 and in Ubuntu package versions 3.0.4-1ubuntu0.1~esm1, 3.6.0-1ubuntu0.1~esm1, and 3.13.1-1ubuntu0.1~esm1. Upgrading to these versions is strongly recommended. If immediate upgrade is not possible, use SoftFileLock instead of UnixFileLock/WindowsFileLock, restrict lock file directory permissions to 0700 to prevent untrusted symlink creation, and monitor lock file directories for suspicious symlinks. These mitigations provide only partial protection and do not fully prevent exploitation.

Description

Python filelock versions prior to 3.20.1 contain a Time-of-Check-Time-of-Use (TOCTOU) race condition vulnerability that allows local attackers to corrupt or truncate arbitrary user files via symlink attacks. This affects Unix, Linux, macOS, and Windows systems where filelock checks for a file's existence before opening it with truncation, enabling attackers to exploit the time gap by creating symlinks to victim files. The vulnerability requires local filesystem access and symlink creation capability. The issue is fixed in version 3.20.1. Partial mitigations include using SoftFileLock, restricting lock file directory permissions, and monitoring for suspicious symlinks, but upgrading is strongly recommended.

References

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