# CVE-2025-23042: Gradio ACL bypass via case-insensitive path manipulation

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2025-23042-gradio-acl-bypass-via-case-insensitive-path-manipulation  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2025-01-14. Updated: 2026-06-05  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2025-23042 · Severity: critical · CVSS 4 · Published 2025-01-14

Gradio, a popular library for building machine learning web interfaces, contains a security flaw that allows unauthorized access to restricted files. When hosted on Windows or macOS, an attacker can bypass file access restrictions by simply changing the capitalization of the requested file path. This could lead to the exposure of sensitive data, such as configuration files, user information, or API keys, potentially compromising the entire application.

Technologies: [gradio (PyPI)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/gradio). Vendors: [PyPI](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/pypi).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2025-23042 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2025-23042 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2025-23042?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 4, published 14 January 2025.

**Which products and versions are affected?** gradio (PyPI) < 5.11.0, ECOSYSTEM:introduced=0,fixed=5.11.0, ECOSYSTEM:introduced=0,fixed=5.6.0.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2025-23042?** Yes. gradio (PyPI): upgrade to 5.11.0, 5.6.0 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2025-23042 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2025-23042?** Check whether you run gradio (PyPI) at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## How to fix

- gradio (PyPI): upgrade to 5.11.0, 5.6.0 or later

  ```sh
  pip install "gradio>=5.11.0"
  ```


## Technical details

A vulnerability exists in Gradio's path validation logic within the `is_allowed_file` function. The implementation fails to perform case normalization when comparing requested file paths against the `blocked_paths` list. On case-insensitive operating systems like Windows and macOS, an attacker can bypass the ACL by requesting a blocked file using different casing (e.g., 'adMin' instead of 'admin'). This allows remote, unauthenticated attackers to access sensitive files on the local file system that were intended to be restricted. The issue is fixed in version 5.11.0 by implementing proper path normalization.

## Affected products

- gradio-app gradio < 5.11.0

## Identifiers

- CVE-2025-23042
- GHSA-j2jg-fq62-7c3h
- PYSEC-2025-118

## Timeline

- 2025-01-14: disclosed
- 2025-01-14: advisory
- 2025-01-14: patched: Fixed in version 5.11.0

## References

- [https://api.github.com/users/superboy-zjc](https://api.github.com/users/superboy-zjc)
- [https://github.com/superboy-zjc](https://github.com/superboy-zjc)
- [https://api.github.com/users/superboy-zjc/gists%7B/gist_id%7D](https://api.github.com/users/superboy-zjc/gists%7B/gist_id%7D)
- [https://api.github.com/users/superboy-zjc/repos](https://api.github.com/users/superboy-zjc/repos)
- [https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/u/60600792?v=4](https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/u/60600792?v=4)
- [https://api.github.com/users/superboy-zjc/events%7B/privacy%7D](https://api.github.com/users/superboy-zjc/events%7B/privacy%7D)

## Related threats

- [PYSEC-2026-1423 - Gradio CORS Origin Validation Bypass Vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2025-5320-gradio-cors-origin-validation-bypass-vulnerability)
- [PYSEC-2026-1410 - Gradio DOS in multipart boundry while uploading the file](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2024-8966-gradio-dos-in-multipart-boundry-while-uploading-the-file)
- [PYSEC-2026-1411 - Gradio Vulnerable to Open Redirect](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2024-8021-gradio-vulnerable-to-open-redirect)
- [PYSEC-2026-1418 - Gradio Path Traversal vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2024-12217-gradio-path-traversal-vulnerability)
- [PYSEC-2026-1417 - Gradio Vulnerable to Arbitrary File Deletion](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2024-10648-gradio-vulnerable-to-arbitrary-file-deletion)