CVE-2022-26488
Published: March 10, 2022Last modified: July 22, 2025
Description
In Python before 3.10.3 on Windows, local users can gain privileges because the search path is inadequately secured. The installer may allow a local attacker to add user-writable directories to the system search path. To exploit, an administrator must have installed Python for all users and enabled PATH entries. A non-administrative user can trigger a repair that incorrectly adds user-writable paths into PATH, enabling search-path hijacking of other users and system services. This affects Python (CPython) through 3.7.12, 3.8.x through 3.8.12, 3.9.x through 3.9.10, and 3.10.x through 3.10.2.
Severity score breakdown
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Base score | 7 |
| Attack Vector | LOCAL |
| Attack complexity | HIGH |
| Privileges required | LOW |
| User interaction | NONE |
| Scope | UNCHANGED |
| Confidentiality | HIGH |
| Integrity impact | HIGH |
| Availability impact | HIGH |
| Vector | CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H |
Status
| Product | Release | Package | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpaquita Linux | 23 LTS | python3 | Not affected (3.11.5-r0) |
| Stream | python3 | Not affected (3.11.5-r0) | |
| Hardened Containers | 23 LTS | python3 | Not affected (3.11.5-r0) |
| Stream | python3 | Not affected (3.11.5-r0) |