Python 2.6 through 3.2 creates ~/.pypirc with world-readable permissions before changing…
Priority LOW 11CWE-264Published · Updated
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- — Not recorded in CVSS 2.0
- Attack complexity
- Medium
- Impact type
- Security bypass
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- Partial · None · None
- Fix status
- Partial Red Hat: 11 fixed, 1 without a fix
Attack profile from CVSS 2.0 · NVD. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat. Impact type from CWE-264.
Summary
Python 2.6 through 3.2 creates ~/.pypirc with world-readable permissions before changing them after data has been written, which introduces a race condition that allows local users to obtain a username and password by reading this file.
Why it matters now
EPSS 0.00429 37th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Fix Partial Red Hat: 2 advisoriesRed Hat: 11 fixed, 1 without a fix
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | all versions | — | No fix listed | CNA |
- — Vendor— Affected all versions Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 28
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:a:python:python:2.6.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 2.6.1 | Vulnerable | python-pillow |
| cpe:2.3:a:python:python:2.6.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 2.6.2 | Vulnerable | python-pillow |
| cpe:2.3:a:python:python:2.6.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 2.6.3 | Vulnerable | python-pillow |
| cpe:2.3:a:python:python:2.6.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 2.6.4 | Vulnerable | python-pillow |
| cpe:2.3:a:python:python:2.6.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 2.6.5 | Vulnerable | python-pillow |
| cpe:2.3:a:python:python:2.6.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 2.6.6 | Vulnerable | python-pillow |
| cpe:2.3:a:python:python:2.6.7:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 2.6.7 | Vulnerable | python-pillow |
| cpe:2.3:a:python:python:2.6.8:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 2.6.8 | Vulnerable | python-pillow |
| cpe:2.3:a:python:python:2.6.2150:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 2.6.2150 | Vulnerable | python-pillow |
| cpe:2.3:a:python:python:2.6.6150:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 2.6.6150 | Vulnerable | python-pillow |
- cpe:2.3:a:python:python:2.6.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 2.6.1 Vulnerable ·python-pillow
- cpe:2.3:a:python:python:2.6.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 2.6.2 Vulnerable ·python-pillow
- cpe:2.3:a:python:python:2.6.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 2.6.3 Vulnerable ·python-pillow
- cpe:2.3:a:python:python:2.6.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 2.6.4 Vulnerable ·python-pillow
- cpe:2.3:a:python:python:2.6.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 2.6.5 Vulnerable ·python-pillow
- cpe:2.3:a:python:python:2.6.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 2.6.6 Vulnerable ·python-pillow
- cpe:2.3:a:python:python:2.6.7:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 2.6.7 Vulnerable ·python-pillow
- cpe:2.3:a:python:python:2.6.8:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 2.6.8 Vulnerable ·python-pillow
- cpe:2.3:a:python:python:2.6.2150:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 2.6.2150 Vulnerable ·python-pillow
- cpe:2.3:a:python:python:2.6.6150:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 2.6.6150 Vulnerable ·python-pillow
Show 18 more CPE
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:a:python:python:2.7.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 2.7.1 | Vulnerable | python-pillow |
| cpe:2.3:a:python:python:2.7.1:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:* | 2.7.1 rc1 | Vulnerable | python-pillow |
| cpe:2.3:a:python:python:2.7.2:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:* | 2.7.2 rc1 | Vulnerable | python-pillow |
| cpe:2.3:a:python:python:2.7.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 2.7.3 | Vulnerable | python-pillow |
| cpe:2.3:a:python:python:2.7.1150:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 2.7.1150 | Vulnerable | python-pillow |
| cpe:2.3:a:python:python:2.7.1150:*:*:*:*:*:x64:* | 2.7.1150 | Vulnerable | python-pillow |
| cpe:2.3:a:python:python:2.7.2150:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 2.7.2150 | Vulnerable | python-pillow |
| cpe:2.3:a:python:python:3.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 3.0 | Vulnerable | python-pillow |
| cpe:2.3:a:python:python:3.0.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 3.0.1 | Vulnerable | python-pillow |
| cpe:2.3:a:python:python:3.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 3.1 | Vulnerable | python-pillow |
| cpe:2.3:a:python:python:3.1.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 3.1.1 | Vulnerable | python-pillow |
| cpe:2.3:a:python:python:3.1.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 3.1.2 | Vulnerable | python-pillow |
| cpe:2.3:a:python:python:3.1.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 3.1.3 | Vulnerable | python-pillow |
| cpe:2.3:a:python:python:3.1.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 3.1.4 | Vulnerable | python-pillow |
| cpe:2.3:a:python:python:3.1.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 3.1.5 | Vulnerable | python-pillow |
| cpe:2.3:a:python:python:3.1.2150:*:*:*:*:*:x64:* | 3.1.2150 | Vulnerable | python-pillow |
| cpe:2.3:a:python:python:3.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 3.2 | Vulnerable | python-pillow |
| cpe:2.3:a:python:python:3.2:alpha:*:*:*:*:*:* | 3.2 alpha | Vulnerable | python-pillow |
- cpe:2.3:a:python:python:2.7.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 2.7.1 Vulnerable ·python-pillow
- cpe:2.3:a:python:python:2.7.1:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 2.7.1 rc1 Vulnerable ·python-pillow
- cpe:2.3:a:python:python:2.7.2:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 2.7.2 rc1 Vulnerable ·python-pillow
- cpe:2.3:a:python:python:2.7.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 2.7.3 Vulnerable ·python-pillow
- cpe:2.3:a:python:python:2.7.1150:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 2.7.1150 Vulnerable ·python-pillow
- cpe:2.3:a:python:python:2.7.1150:*:*:*:*:*:x64:* Versions 2.7.1150 Vulnerable ·python-pillow
- cpe:2.3:a:python:python:2.7.2150:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 2.7.2150 Vulnerable ·python-pillow
- cpe:2.3:a:python:python:3.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 3.0 Vulnerable ·python-pillow
- cpe:2.3:a:python:python:3.0.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 3.0.1 Vulnerable ·python-pillow
- cpe:2.3:a:python:python:3.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 3.1 Vulnerable ·python-pillow
- cpe:2.3:a:python:python:3.1.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 3.1.1 Vulnerable ·python-pillow
- cpe:2.3:a:python:python:3.1.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 3.1.2 Vulnerable ·python-pillow
- cpe:2.3:a:python:python:3.1.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 3.1.3 Vulnerable ·python-pillow
- cpe:2.3:a:python:python:3.1.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 3.1.4 Vulnerable ·python-pillow
- cpe:2.3:a:python:python:3.1.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 3.1.5 Vulnerable ·python-pillow
- cpe:2.3:a:python:python:3.1.2150:*:*:*:*:*:x64:* Versions 3.1.2150 Vulnerable ·python-pillow
- cpe:2.3:a:python:python:3.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 3.2 Vulnerable ·python-pillow
- cpe:2.3:a:python:python:3.2:alpha:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 3.2 alpha Vulnerable ·python-pillow
Remediation
Red Hat 2 advisories
- RHSA-2012:0745 Released 2012-06-18 · Red Hat rating Moderatepython security update
- RHEL Desktop Workstation (v. 5 client) python-2.4.3-46.el5_8.2, python-devel-2.4.3-46.el5_8.2, python-devel-2.4.3-46.el5_8.2.i386
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux (v. 5 server) python-2.4.3-46.el5_8.2, python-2.4.3-46.el5_8.2.i386, python-2.4.3-46.el5_8.2.ia64 +17
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop (v. 5 client) python-2.4.3-46.el5_8.2, python-2.4.3-46.el5_8.2.i386, python-libs-2.4.3-46.el5_8.2 +5
- RHSA-2012:0744 Released 2012-06-18 · Red Hat rating Moderatepython security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop (v. 6) python-2.6.6-29.el6_2.2, python-libs-2.6.6-29.el6_2.2, tkinter-2.6.6-29.el6_2.2
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop Optional (v. 6) python-2.6.6-29.el6_2.2, python-devel-2.6.6-29.el6_2.2, python-test-2.6.6-29.el6_2.2 +1
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux HPC Node (v. 6) python-2.6.6-29.el6_2.2, python-libs-2.6.6-29.el6_2.2
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux HPC Node Optional (v. 6) python-2.6.6-29.el6_2.2, python-devel-2.6.6-29.el6_2.2, python-test-2.6.6-29.el6_2.2 +2
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 6) python-2.6.6-29.el6_2.2, python-devel-2.6.6-29.el6_2.2, python-libs-2.6.6-29.el6_2.2 +1
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional (v. 6) python-2.6.6-29.el6_2.2, python-test-2.6.6-29.el6_2.2, python-tools-2.6.6-29.el6_2.2 +1
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation (v. 6) python-2.6.6-29.el6_2.2, python-devel-2.6.6-29.el6_2.2, python-libs-2.6.6-29.el6_2.2 +1
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation Optional (v. 6) python-2.6.6-29.el6_2.2, python-test-2.6.6-29.el6_2.2, python-tools-2.6.6-29.el6_2.2
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Low. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4 | Affected | No fix planned: Will not fix |
| RHEL Desktop Workstation (v. 5 client) | Fixed | RHSA-2012:0745 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux (v. 5 server) | Fixed | RHSA-2012:0745 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop (v. 5 client) | Fixed | RHSA-2012:0745 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop (v. 6) | Fixed | RHSA-2012:0744 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop Optional (v. 6) | Fixed | RHSA-2012:0744 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux HPC Node (v. 6) | Fixed | RHSA-2012:0744 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux HPC Node Optional (v. 6) | Fixed | RHSA-2012:0744 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 6) | Fixed | RHSA-2012:0744 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional (v. 6) | Fixed | RHSA-2012:0744 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation (v. 6) | Fixed | RHSA-2012:0744 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation Optional (v. 6) | Fixed | RHSA-2012:0744 |
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2011-4944
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-2j46-98gf-6xf6
References
Advisory 8
Other 7
- [oss-security] 20120327 CVE request: distutils creates ~/.pypirc insecurely
- [oss-security] 20120327 Re: CVE request: distutils creates ~/.pypirc insecurely
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=758905
- http://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=650555
- http://bugs.python.org/file23824/pypirc-secure.diff
- [oss-security] 20120327 Re: CVE request: distutils creates ~/.pypirc insecurely
- http://bugs.python.org/issue13512
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Sources
- CVE-2011-4944 · CVE Program
- CVE-2011-4944 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-2j46-98gf-6xf6 · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2011-4944 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences