Disputed path traversal via unrestricted resource path
Published Mar 18, 2026 · Updated Mar 18, 2026
Path traversal in affected CPython releases allows local users to read files outside a package through crafted resource paths. The function joined an unchecked absolute path or parent-directory component to the imported package location and passed the result to the loader's get_data() method. CPython now disputes the vulnerability, stating that the documented restriction was incorrect and the function intentionally shares open()'s trust model; impact requires an application to pass an untrusted resource value.
Summary
What happened
Path traversal in affected CPython releases allows local users to read files outside a package through crafted resource paths. The function joined an unchecked absolute path or parent-directory component to the imported package location and passed the result to the loader's get_data() method. CPython now disputes the vulnerability, stating that the documented restriction was incorrect and the function intentionally shares open()'s trust model; impact requires an application to pass an untrusted resource value.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-3479
- Published
- Mar 18, 2026
- Updated
- Mar 18, 2026
- Vendor
- Python Software Foundation
- Product
- CPython
- Classifications
- CWE-22
- Attack vector
- Unavailable
- Privileges
- Unavailable
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Mar 18, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Mar 18, 2026Record 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.
- Affected versionversion=0 <3.15.0
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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.
Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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