In Python 3.8.4, sys.path restrictions specified in a python38._pth file are ignored, allowing code to be loaded from arbitrary locations. The <executable-name>._pth file (e.g., the python._pth file)…

Critical CVSS 9.8

CVECVE-2020-15801

First seen2026-10-14 11:16 UTC

Disclosed2020-07-17 03:15 UTC

Last updated2026-10-14 11:16 UTC

Channel statusauto

Summary

In Python 3.8.4, sys.path restrictions specified in a python38._pth file are ignored, allowing code to be loaded from arbitrary locations. The <executable-name>._pth file (e.g., the python._pth file) is not affected.

In-depth triage

No in-depth report has been generated yet (DR-003 v2 AI pipeline is under construction).

Affected products

Sources

NVD DATABASE

Original Links

https://bugs.python.org/issue41304 Issue Tracking
https://github.com/python/cpython/pull/21495 Patch
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20200731-0003/ Third Party Advisory
https://bugs.python.org/issue41304 Issue Tracking
https://github.com/python/cpython/pull/21495 Patch
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20200731-0003/ Third Party Advisory
https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-398330.html

Timeline

2026-10-14 nvd_ingest NVD