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Vulnerability record · CVE-2020-15523 · published 4 July 2020

CVE-2020-15523: Python uncontrolled search path element vulnerability

Python · Python

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.

7.8 CVSS 3.1 High EPSS 0.91% · top 39.4% CWE-427 · Uncontrolled search path elementCWE-908 · Use of uninitialized resource
7.8CVSS 3.1 base score, v2 6.9
0.91%EPSS exploitation probability, 30 days
NoNot in CISA KEV
2Affected product versions listed by NVD
7References
14 Oct 2026Last modified by NVD

Description

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.

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected products

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

References

LinkTags
https://bugs.python.org/issue29778 Issue TrackingPatchVendor Advisory
https://github.com/python/cpython/pull/21297 PatchThird Party Advisory
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20210312-0004/ Issue TrackingPatchThird Party Advisory
https://bugs.python.org/issue29778 Issue TrackingPatchVendor Advisory
https://github.com/python/cpython/pull/21297 PatchThird Party Advisory
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20210312-0004/ Issue TrackingPatchThird Party Advisory
https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-398330.html

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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-2020-15523), CISA KEV, FIRST EPSS (scores of 2026-11-14). This page is refreshed as NVD updates the record.