CVE-2017-20052Public exploit

Code execution via uuid.dll search-path hijacking

Published Jun 16, 2022 · Updated Apr 15, 2025

DLL hijacking in CPython 2.7.13 on Windows allows context-dependent attackers to execute code when a user launches pgAdmin4. Lib/uuid.py loads uuid.dll by bare filename through ctypes, allowing Windows to resolve an attacker-planted library from an untrusted search-path directory. Exploitation requires write access to a searched directory and user interaction to start pgAdmin4; the payload runs with that user's privileges.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability1.29%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

DLL hijacking in CPython 2.7.13 on Windows allows context-dependent attackers to execute code when a user launches pgAdmin4. Lib/uuid.py loads uuid.dll by bare filename through ctypes, allowing Windows to resolve an attacker-planted library from an untrusted search-path directory. Exploitation requires write access to a searched directory and user interaction to start pgAdmin4; the payload runs with that user's privileges.

The record

CVE
CVE-2017-20052
Published
Jun 16, 2022
Updated
Apr 15, 2025
Vendor
Python Software Foundation
Product
CPython
Classifications
CWE-427, T1574.001
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jun 16, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Apr 15, 2025Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=2.7.13

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Python Software Foundation · CPythonversion=2.7.13

Published CVSS scores

5.0VulDBCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L
7.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
4.4NIST NVDAV:L/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-427Uncontrolled Search Path Element
T1574.001DLL Search Order Hijacking

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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