audiobookshelf: Exposure of Sensitive Information Through Data Queries
CVE-2025-25205 is a high-severity exposure of sensitive information through data queries vulnerability in audiobookshelf from Advplyr, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.2 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected audiobookshelf versions: >= 2.17.0, < 2.19.1. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 4.75% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is in the top 7.98% of all scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of audiobookshelf you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advplyr | audiobookshelf | >= 2.17.0, < 2.19.1 | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- LowSome restricted data can be read.
- Integrity
- NoneNothing can be modified.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:H. Scored by CNA (github.com).
Official description
Audiobookshelf is a self-hosted audiobook and podcast server. Starting in version 2.17.0 and prior to version 2.19.1, a flaw in the authentication bypass logic allows unauthenticated requests to match certain unanchored regex patterns in the URL. Attackers can craft URLs containing substrings like "/api/items/1/cover" in a query parameter (?r=/api/items/1/cover) to partially bypass authentication or trigger server crashes under certain routes. This could lead to information disclosure of otherwise protected data and, in some cases, a complete denial of service (server crash) if downstream code expects an authenticated user object. Version 2.19.1 contains a patch for the issue.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Exposure of Sensitive Information Through Data Queries
When trying to keep information confidential, an attacker can often infer some of the information by using statistics.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- This is a complex topic. See the for a good discussion of best practices.
More Exposure of Sensitive Information Through Data Queries vulnerabilities (CWE-202)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in audiobookshelf
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
Recent Exposure of Sensitive Information Through Data Queries vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
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