RCE in Lite Xl
CVE-2025-12121
Lite XL versions 2.1.8 and prior contain a vulnerability in the system.exec function, which allowed arbitrary command execution through unsanitized shell command construction. This function was used in project directory launching (core.lua), drag-and-drop file handling (rootview.lua), and the “open in system” command in the treeview plugin (treeview.lua). If an attacker could influence input to system.exec, they might execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the Lite XL process.
Vulnerability class: Command Injection (OS Command Injection)
EPSS: 0.004 (28.0th percentile) — read the EPSS interpretation.
CVSS v3 metric
CVSS v3 base score 7.3 (High). Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.
Affected products
- Lite Xl — versions 2.1.8 and earlier
- Lite-xl Lite_xl
Weakness classification (CWE)
References
- cret@cert.org (Patch)
- cret@cert.org (Exploit, Patch, Third Party Advisory)
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2025-12121?
- CVE-2025-12121 is a high-severity vulnerability in Lite Xl, classified under OS Command Injection. CVSS score: 7.3/10. Published 2025-11-20.
- How severe is CVE-2025-12121?
- High severity. CVSS v3 base score is 7.3 out of 10.