CVE-2024-9287
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Description
A vulnerability has been found in the Python venv module and CLI. Path names provided when creating a virtual environment were not quoted properly, allowing the creator to inject commands into virtual environment "activation" scripts, for example, "source venv/bin/activate". This flaw allows attacker-controlled virtual environments to run commands when the virtual environment is activated.
Statement
This vulnerability in the Python venv module is rated as moderate rather than important because it relies on a specific set of conditions to be exploitable, limiting its impact. An attacker would need to have control over the virtual environment creation process and access to the environment setup, which is less common in typical usage scenarios. Furthermore, the vulnerability only poses a risk if users activate the malicious virtual environment through source venv/bin/activate or similar scripts, as direct invocation of the virtual environment without activation (./venv/bin/python) is not affected.
Versions of python36:3.6/python36 and python39:3.9/python39 as shipped with Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 are marked as 'Not affected' as they just provide "symlinks" to the main python3 component, which provides the actual interpreter of the Python programming language.
Mitigation
Mitigation for this issue is either not available or the currently available options do not meet the Red Hat Product Security criteria comprising ease of use and deployment, applicability to widespread installation base or stability.
Additional Information
- This content is not included.Bugzilla 2321440: python: Virtual environment (venv) activation scripts don't quote paths
- Content from cwe.mitre.org is not included.CWE-428: Unquoted Search Path or Element
- FAQ: Frequently asked questions about CVE-2024-9287
- Offline Security Data data is available for integration with other systems. See Offline Security Data API to get started.
External References
Content from www.cve.org is not included.https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2024-9287
Content from nvd.nist.gov is not included.https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-9287
Content from github.com is not included.https://github.com/python/cpython/issues/124651
Content from github.com is not included.https://github.com/python/cpython/pull/124712
Affected Packages and Issued Red Hat Security Errata
| Products / Services | Components | State | Errata |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 | python3.12 | Not affected | |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 | python | Out of support scope | |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 | python3 | Out of support scope | |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 | python3 | Fixed | RHSA-2024:10779 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 | python3.11 | Fixed | RHSA-2024:10979 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 | python3.12 | Fixed | RHSA-2024:10980 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 | python39-devel:3.9 | Fixed | RHSA-2025:23530 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 | python39:3.9 | Fixed | RHSA-2025:23530 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 | python36:3.6/python36 | Not affected | |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 | python3.12 | Fixed | RHSA-2024:10978 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 | python3.9 | Fixed | RHSA-2024:10983 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 | python3.11 | Fixed | RHSA-2024:11111 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9.4 Extended Update Support | python3.9 | Fixed | RHSA-2024:11024 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9.4 Extended Update Support | python3.12 | Fixed | RHSA-2024:11035 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9.4 Extended Update Support | python3.11 | Fixed | RHSA-2025:0280 |
Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) Score Details
Important note
CVSS scores for open source components depend on vendor-specific factors (e.g. version or build chain). Therefore, Red Hat's score and impact rating can be different from NVD and other vendors. Red Hat remains the authoritative CVE Naming Authorities (CNA) source for its products and services (see Red Hat classifications ).
| CVSS v3 Score Breakdown | Red Hat | NVD |
|---|---|---|
| CVSS v3 Base Score | 6.3 | 7.8 |
| Attack Vector | Local | Local |
| Attack Complexity | Low | Low |
| Privileges Required | High | Low |
| User Interaction | Required | None |
| Scope | Changed | Unchanged |
| Confidentiality Impact | Low | High |
| Integrity Impact | High | High |
| Availability Impact | None | High |
CVSS v3 Vector
Red Hat CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:H/A:N
NVD CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Red Hat's CVSS v3 score or Impact different from other vendors?
For more information, see https://access.redhat.com/solutions/762393.
My product is listed as "Under investigation" or "Affected", when will Red Hat release a fix for this vulnerability?
- "Under investigation" doesn't necessarily mean that the product is affected by this vulnerability. It only means that our Analysis Team is still working on determining whether the product is affected and how it is affected.
- "Affected" means that our Analysis Team has determined that this product is affected by this vulnerability and might release a fix to address this in the near future.
What can I do if my product is listed as "Will not fix"?
Available options depend mostly on the Impact of the vulnerability and the current Life Cycle phase of your product. Overall, you have the following options:
- Upgrade to a supported product version that includes a fix for this vulnerability (recommended).
- Apply a mitigation (if one exists).
- Open a This content is not included.support case to request a prioritization of releasing a fix for this vulnerability.
What can I do if my product is listed as "Fix deferred"?
Available options depend mostly on the Impact of the vulnerability and the current Life Cycle phase of your product. Overall, you have the following options:
- Apply a mitigation (if one exists).
- Open a This content is not included.support case to request a prioritization of releasing a fix for this vulnerability.
- Red Hat Engineering focuses on addressing high-priority issues based on their complexity or limited lifecycle support. Therefore, lower-priority issues will not receive immediate fixes.
What is a mitigation?
I have a Red Hat product but it is not in the above list, is it affected?
Why is my security scanner reporting my product as vulnerable to this vulnerability even though my product version is fixed or not affected?
My product is listed as "Out of Support Scope". What does this mean?
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