In Python 3.6 through 3.6.10, 3.7 through 3.7.8, 3.8 through 3.8.4rc1, and 3.9 through…
Priority LOW 38CWE-427Published · Updated
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- Required
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Code execution
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- No fix listed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · NVD. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-427.
Summary
In Python 3.6 through 3.6.10, 3.7 through 3.7.8, 3.8 through 3.8.4rc1, and 3.9 through 3.9.0b4 on Windows, a Trojan horse python3.dll might be used in cases where CPython is embedded in a native application. This occurs because python3X.dll may use an invalid search path for python3.dll loading (after Py_SetPath has been used). NOTE: this issue CANNOT occur when using python.exe from a standard (non-embedded) Python installation on Windows.
Why it matters now
Exploitation None reported CISA SSVC · not in CISA KEV
EPSS 0.00911 60th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Fix No fix listed No fixed version in the sources yet
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Total
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
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 · 14
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:a:python:python:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 3.5.0 to before 3.5.10; 3.6.0 to before 3.6.12; 3.7.0 to before 3.7.9; 3.8.0 to before 3.8.4 | Vulnerable | python-pillow |
| cpe:2.3:a:python:python:3.8.4:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:* | 3.8.4 rc1 | Vulnerable | python-pillow |
| cpe:2.3:a:python:python:3.9.0:alpha1:*:*:*:*:*:* | 3.9.0 alpha1 | Vulnerable | python-pillow |
| cpe:2.3:a:python:python:3.9.0:alpha2:*:*:*:*:*:* | 3.9.0 alpha2 | Vulnerable | python-pillow |
| cpe:2.3:a:python:python:3.9.0:alpha3:*:*:*:*:*:* | 3.9.0 alpha3 | Vulnerable | python-pillow |
| cpe:2.3:a:python:python:3.9.0:alpha4:*:*:*:*:*:* | 3.9.0 alpha4 | Vulnerable | python-pillow |
| cpe:2.3:a:python:python:3.9.0:alpha5:*:*:*:*:*:* | 3.9.0 alpha5 | Vulnerable | python-pillow |
| cpe:2.3:a:python:python:3.9.0:alpha6:*:*:*:*:*:* | 3.9.0 alpha6 | Vulnerable | python-pillow |
| cpe:2.3:a:python:python:3.9.0:beta1:*:*:*:*:*:* | 3.9.0 beta1 | Vulnerable | python-pillow |
| cpe:2.3:a:python:python:3.9.0:beta2:*:*:*:*:*:* | 3.9.0 beta2 | Vulnerable | python-pillow |
- cpe:2.3:a:python:python:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 3.5.0 to before 3.5.10; 3.6.0 to before 3.6.12; 3.7.0 to before 3.7.9; 3.8.0 to before 3.8.4 Vulnerable ·python-pillow
- cpe:2.3:a:python:python:3.8.4:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 3.8.4 rc1 Vulnerable ·python-pillow
- cpe:2.3:a:python:python:3.9.0:alpha1:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 3.9.0 alpha1 Vulnerable ·python-pillow
- cpe:2.3:a:python:python:3.9.0:alpha2:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 3.9.0 alpha2 Vulnerable ·python-pillow
- cpe:2.3:a:python:python:3.9.0:alpha3:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 3.9.0 alpha3 Vulnerable ·python-pillow
- cpe:2.3:a:python:python:3.9.0:alpha4:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 3.9.0 alpha4 Vulnerable ·python-pillow
- cpe:2.3:a:python:python:3.9.0:alpha5:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 3.9.0 alpha5 Vulnerable ·python-pillow
- cpe:2.3:a:python:python:3.9.0:alpha6:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 3.9.0 alpha6 Vulnerable ·python-pillow
- cpe:2.3:a:python:python:3.9.0:beta1:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 3.9.0 beta1 Vulnerable ·python-pillow
- cpe:2.3:a:python:python:3.9.0:beta2:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 3.9.0 beta2 Vulnerable ·python-pillow
Show 4 more CPE
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:a:python:python:3.9.0:beta3:*:*:*:*:*:* | 3.9.0 beta3 | Vulnerable | python-pillow |
| cpe:2.3:a:python:python:3.9.0:beta4:*:*:*:*:*:* | 3.9.0 beta4 | Vulnerable | python-pillow |
| cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Running on | Microsoft |
| cpe:2.3:a:netapp:snapcenter:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Vulnerable | NetApp |
- cpe:2.3:a:python:python:3.9.0:beta3:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 3.9.0 beta3 Vulnerable ·python-pillow
- cpe:2.3:a:python:python:3.9.0:beta4:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 3.9.0 beta4 Vulnerable ·python-pillow
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Running on ·Microsoft
- cpe:2.3:a:netapp:snapcenter:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Vulnerable ·NetApp
Remediation
No fixed version listed by the sources yet.
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2020-15523
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-mj5j-j2qm-c8g4
- 2026-10-08 CISA SSVC decision points changed
References
Sources
- CVE-2020-15523 · CVE Program
- CVE-2020-15523 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-mj5j-j2qm-c8g4 · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences