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Vulnerability record · CVE-2006-1542 · published 30 March 2006

CVE-2006-1542: Python vulnerability

Python · Python

Stack-based buffer overflow in Python 2.4.2 and earlier, running on Linux 2.6.12.5 under gcc 4.0.3 with libc 2.3.5, allows local users to cause a "stack overflow," and possibly gain privileges, by running a script from a current working directory that has a long name, related to the realpath function. NOTE: this might not be a vulnerability. However, the fact that it appears in a programming language interpreter could mean that some applications are affected, although attack scenarios might be limited because the attacker might already need to cross privilege boundaries to cause an exploitable program to be placed in a directory with a long name; or, depending on the method that Python uses to determine the current working directory, setuid applications might be affected.

3.7 CVSS 2.0 Low EPSS 0.91% · top 39.5%
3.7CVSS 2.0 base score
0.91%EPSS exploitation probability, 30 days
NoNot in CISA KEV
1Affected product versions listed by NVD
8References, 2 tagged exploit
16 Jun 2026Last modified by NVD

Description

Stack-based buffer overflow in Python 2.4.2 and earlier, running on Linux 2.6.12.5 under gcc 4.0.3 with libc 2.3.5, allows local users to cause a "stack overflow," and possibly gain privileges, by running a script from a current working directory that has a long name, related to the realpath function. NOTE: this might not be a vulnerability. However, the fact that it appears in a programming language interpreter could mean that some applications are affected, although attack scenarios might be limited because the attacker might already need to cross privilege boundaries to cause an exploitable program to be placed in a directory with a long name; or, depending on the method that Python uses to determine the current working directory, setuid applications might be affected.

AV:L/AC:H/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P

Affected products

1 vulnerable configurations from NVD's CPE data, grouped by vendor and product.

References

LinkTags
http://secunia.com/advisories/31492 Broken Link
http://www.gotfault.net/research/exploit/gexp-python.py Exploit
http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2008-0629.html Third Party Advisory
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/1591 Third Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
http://secunia.com/advisories/31492 Broken Link
http://www.gotfault.net/research/exploit/gexp-python.py Exploit
http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2008-0629.html Third Party Advisory
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/1591 Third Party AdvisoryVDB Entry

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Same products first, then exploited flaws of the same weakness class.

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Source: NIST National Vulnerability Database (record CVE-2006-1542), CISA KEV, FIRST EPSS (scores of 2026-11-14). This page is refreshed as NVD updates the record.