Insecure symbolic link following in Python

1) UNIX symbolic link following

EUVDB-ID: #VU87185

Risk: Low

CVSSv3.1: 2.9 [CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N/E:U/RL:O/RC:C]

CVE-ID: CVE-2023-6597

CWE-ID: CWE-61 - UNIX Symbolic Link (Symlink) Following

Exploit availability: No

Description

The vulnerability allows a local user to delete arbitrary files on the system.

The vulnerability exists due to a symlink following issue during cleanup when handling temporary files. A local user can create a specially crafted symbolic link to a critical file on the system and delete it.

Mitigation

Install updates from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

Python: 3.8 - 3.12.1

CPE2.3

• cpe:2.3:a:python_org:python:3.8.18:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:python_org:python:3.9.18:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:python_org:python:3.12.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

External links

http://github.com/python/cpython/issues/91133

Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

No. This vulnerability can be exploited locally. The attacker should have authentication credentials and successfully authenticate on the system.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.