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CVE-2008-5983

Untrusted search path vulnerability in the PySys_SetArgv API function in Python 2.6 and earlier,...

6.9 Medium

CVE-2008-5983 is a medium vulnerability (CVSS 6.9) in Python, published January 28, 2009. No source lists public exploit code. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 0.49%, the 42nd percentile. No source names a fixed version.

What does this mean?
Severity
6.9 MediumCVSS 2.0, NVD
Exploit chance
0.49%EPSS, 42nd percentile
Exploitation
None knownNot on CISA’s or ENISA’s lists
Fixed in
No fix listedNo source names one

Description

Untrusted search path vulnerability in the PySys_SetArgv API function in Python 2.6 and earlier, and possibly later versions, prepends an empty string to sys.path when the argv[0] argument does not contain a path separator, which might allow local users to execute arbitrary code via a Trojan horse Python file in the current working directory.

Exploit likelihood

0.49%Down 1.7 points since Feb 4, 2022
90%50%10%1%

Affected products

Affected packages

Affected packages
PackageAffectedFixed
python-py
Azure Linux:3
through 1.11.0-1None known
python
Red Hat:enterprise_linux:5::client_workstation
From an advisory covering 6 CVEs
before 0:2.4.3-43.el5
0:2.4.3-43.el5
python-debuginfo
Red Hat:enterprise_linux:5::client_workstation
From an advisory covering 6 CVEs
before 0:2.4.3-43.el5
0:2.4.3-43.el5
python-devel
Red Hat:enterprise_linux:5::client_workstation
From an advisory covering 6 CVEs
before 0:2.4.3-43.el5
0:2.4.3-43.el5
python
Red Hat:enterprise_linux:5::client
From an advisory covering 6 CVEs
before 0:2.4.3-43.el5
0:2.4.3-43.el5
python-debuginfo
Red Hat:enterprise_linux:5::client
From an advisory covering 6 CVEs
before 0:2.4.3-43.el5
0:2.4.3-43.el5
python-libs
Red Hat:enterprise_linux:5::client
From an advisory covering 6 CVEs
before 0:2.4.3-43.el5
0:2.4.3-43.el5
python-tools
Red Hat:enterprise_linux:5::client
From an advisory covering 6 CVEs
before 0:2.4.3-43.el5
0:2.4.3-43.el5
tkinter
Red Hat:enterprise_linux:5::client
From an advisory covering 6 CVEs
before 0:2.4.3-43.el5
0:2.4.3-43.el5
python
Red Hat:enterprise_linux:5::server
From an advisory covering 6 CVEs
before 0:2.4.3-43.el5
0:2.4.3-43.el5
Show 5 moreShow less
Affected packages
PackageAffectedFixed
python-debuginfo
Red Hat:enterprise_linux:5::server
From an advisory covering 6 CVEs
before 0:2.4.3-43.el5
0:2.4.3-43.el5
python-devel
Red Hat:enterprise_linux:5::server
From an advisory covering 6 CVEs
before 0:2.4.3-43.el5
0:2.4.3-43.el5
python-libs
Red Hat:enterprise_linux:5::server
From an advisory covering 6 CVEs
before 0:2.4.3-43.el5
0:2.4.3-43.el5
python-tools
Red Hat:enterprise_linux:5::server
From an advisory covering 6 CVEs
before 0:2.4.3-43.el5
0:2.4.3-43.el5
tkinter
Red Hat:enterprise_linux:5::server
From an advisory covering 6 CVEs
before 0:2.4.3-43.el5
0:2.4.3-43.el5

What each source reports

NVD Score used6.9

Untrusted search path vulnerability in the PySys_SetArgv API function in Python 2.6 and earlier, and possibly later versions, prepends an empty string to sys.path when the argv[0] argument does not contain a path separator, which might allow local users to execute arbitrary code via a Trojan horse Python file in the current working directory.

Record
CVE-2008-5983
CVSS 2.0
6.9 MediumAV:L/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
Weakness
CWE-426
Updated
2026-11-02
CVE ListNo score

Untrusted search path vulnerability in the PySys_SetArgv API function in Python 2.6 and earlier, and possibly later versions, prepends an empty string to sys.path when the argv[0] argument does not contain a path separator, which might allow local users to execute arbitrary code via a Trojan horse Python file in the current working directory.

Record
CVE-2008-5983
Updated
2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2008-5953No score

Untrusted search path vulnerability in the PySys_SetArgv API function in Python 2.6 and earlier, and possibly later versions, prepends an empty string to sys.path when the argv[0] argument does not contain a path separator, which might allow local users to execute arbitrary code via a Trojan horse Python file in the current working directory.

Record
EUVD-2008-5953
Updated
2026-11-03
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-4jhg-wfq8-3vgmNo score

Untrusted search path vulnerability in the PySys_SetArgv API function in Python 2.6 and earlier,...

Untrusted search path vulnerability in the PySys_SetArgv API function in Python 2.6 and earlier, and possibly later versions, prepends an empty string to sys.path when the argv[0] argument does not contain a path separator, which might allow local users to execute arbitrary code via a Trojan horse Python file in the current working directory.

Record
GHSA-4jhg-wfq8-3vgm
Weakness
CWE-426
Updated
2026-11-02
OSVAZL-109584No score

CVE-2008-5983 affecting package python-py 1.11.0-1

Untrusted search path vulnerability in the PySys_SetArgv API function in Python 2.6 and earlier, and possibly later versions, prepends an empty string to sys.path when the argv[0] argument does not contain a path separator, which might allow local users to execute arbitrary code via a Trojan horse Python file in the current working directory.

Record
AZL-109584
Updated
2026-11-02

History

History
RecordedChangedSources
affected, facts
aliasesEUVD
first indexedCVE List, GitHub Advisories, NVD, OSV

Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.

References

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