In Python 3.8.4, sys.path restrictions specified in a python38._pth file are ignored…
Priority MEDIUM 48CWE-426Published · Updated
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- None
- 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-426.
Summary
In Python 3.8.4, sys.path restrictions specified in a python38._pth file are ignored, allowing code to be loaded from arbitrary locations. The <executable-name>._pth file (e.g., the python._pth file) is not affected.
Why it matters now
EPSS 0.03631 89th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Fix No fix listed No fixed version in the sources yet
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 · 3
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:a:python:python:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 3.7.0 to before 3.7.9; 3.8.0 to before 3.8.5 | Vulnerable | python-pillow |
| cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Running on | Microsoft |
| cpe:2.3:a:netapp:max_data:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Vulnerable | NetApp |
- cpe:2.3:a:python:python:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 3.7.0 to before 3.7.9; 3.8.0 to before 3.8.5 Vulnerable ·python-pillow
- cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Running on ·Microsoft
- cpe:2.3:a:netapp:max_data:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Vulnerable ·NetApp
Remediation
No fixed version listed by the sources yet.
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Important. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
Not affected: 6 products
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
- Red Hat Quay 3
- Red Hat Software Collections
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2020-15801
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-45fw-qrx2-rj7m
References
Sources
- CVE-2020-15801 · CVE Program
- CVE-2020-15801 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-45fw-qrx2-rj7m · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2020-15801 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
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