Code Execution Vulnerability in Python's Archive Decompression Tools
CVE-2026-115791

5.3MEDIUM

Key Information:

Vendor

Python Software Foundation

Status
Cpython
Vendor
CVE Published:
10 November 2026

What is CVE-2026-115791?

This vulnerability allows the creation of a Python script that can shadow standard library modules during the extraction of compressed archives using the command line interface for tarfile or zipfile. If an error arises during the extraction of files, this rogue script, especially if named traceback.py, can inadvertently be executed due to Python’s inclusion of the current directory in sys.path when accessing modules. The identified fix addresses this issue by eliminating sys.path[0] in gzip, tarfile, and zipfile command line interfaces, thereby bolstering security against unintended code execution.

Affected Version(s)

CPython 0 < 3.16.0

References

https://github.com/python/cpython/issues/161705
issue-tracking
https://github.com/python/cpython/pull/161706
patch
https://mail.python.org/archives/list/security-announce@p...
vendor-advisory

CVSS V4

Score:
5.3
Severity:
MEDIUM
Confidentiality:
High
Integrity:
High
Availability:
None
Attack Vector:
Local
Attack Complexity:
Low
Attack Required:
Physical
Privileges Required:
Undefined
User Interaction:
Unknown

Timeline

  • Vulnerability published

  • Vulnerability Reserved

Credit

Jelle Zijlstra (https://github.com/jelle-openai)
Victor Stinner (https://github.com/vstinner)
Ethan Furman (https://github.com/ethanfurman)
Kirill Podoprigora (https://github.com/Eclips4)
Seth Larson (https://github.com/sethmlarson)
.