The utf-16 decoder in Python 3.1 through 3.3 does not update the aligned_end variable after calling the unicode_decode_call_errorhandler fun
The utf-16 decoder in Python 3.1 through 3.3 does not update the aligned_end variable after calling the unicode_decode_call_errorhandler function, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information (process memory) or cause a denial of service (memory corruption and crash) via unspecified vectors.
- Published
- Aug 14, 2012
- Updated
- Jun 16, 2026
- EPSS
- 4.5% · 91th percentile
- CWE
- —
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Report tools
Action score
26
Monitor
Low priority for now.
- CVSS
- 25 / 40 · 6.4 / 10
- CISA KEV
- 0 / 30 · Not listed
- EPSS
- 1 / 30 · 4.5%
Affected systems
| Vendor | Product | CPE |
|---|---|---|
| python | python | cpe:2.3:a:python:python |
| canonical | ubuntu linux | cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux |
| debian | debian linux | cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux |
Affected versions
NVD version ranges (for catalog products). Add the product to your stack with a version and matching uses these.
- canonical ubuntu linux10.04
- canonical ubuntu linux11.04
- canonical ubuntu linux11.10
- canonical ubuntu linux12.04
- canonical ubuntu linux12.10
- debian debian linux6.0
- python python3.3.0 and later · before 3.3.3
- python python3.2.0 and later · before 3.2.4
- python python2.7.0 and later · before 2.7.4
Same product
python: all recordsOther highest-scoring records for the same primary product.
- CVE-2016-5636Integer overflow in the get_data function in zipimport.c in CPython (aka Python) before 2.7.12, 3.x before 3.4.5, and 3.5.x before 3.5.2 all47Plan
- CVE-2007-4559Directory traversal vulnerability in the (1) extract and (2) extractall functions in the tarfile module in Python allows user-assisted remot47Plan
- CVE-2021-3177Python 3.x through 3.9.1 has a buffer overflow in PyCArg_repr in _ctypes/callproc.c, which may lead to remote code execution in certain Pyth46Plan
- CVE-2014-4650The CGIHTTPServer module in Python 2.7.5 and 3.3.4 does not properly handle URLs in which URL encoding is used for path separators, which al46Plan
- CVE-2018-1000802Python Software Foundation Python (CPython) version 2.7 contains a CWE-77: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('C45Plan
- CVE-2020-27619In Python 3 through 3.9.0, the Lib/test/multibytecodec_support.py CJK codec tests call eval() on content retrieved via HTTP.42Plan
Remediation
Which version to upgrade to
Fix versions compiled from the vendor, package registries and Microsoft. Verify the vendor's note before upgrading.
No fix version is recorded for this entry. Check the references for vendor advisories.
Exploit status
No known public exploit
No public exploit has been observed yet. That doesn't mean you're safe, only that the bar is a little higher.
Research context
For pentesters and researchers: attack profile, score disagreement, timeline, patch commits, credits, variant and chain candidates, bug bounty scope. All derived from existing data; no exploit code.
Timeline
From publication to today: proof of concept, Metasploit module, CISA KEV and fix record. Dates are as reported by the sources.
No dated events beyond publication.
FIRST EPSS daily score; only changes of 0.01 or more are recorded (step chart).
Patch and commit links
Commit, PR and diff links among the references. A starting point for patch-diffing and variant hunting; fixes, not exploits.
No commit or PR link among the references.
Credits
All researchersFinders, reporters and analysts named in the CNA record. Click a name for that researcher’s other records.
No credits in the CNA record.
Variant candidates
Same product, same weakness class, within 18 months. If the patch missed the root cause, the sibling bug is here.
No nightly-computed relations.
Chain candidates
An authentication bypass and a privilege-requiring bug in the same product, published close together: combined they may become an unauthenticated path.
—
Bug bounty scope
No known public program.
Source: bounty-targets-data (public HackerOne, Bugcrowd, Intigriti, YesWeHack listings).
Technical details
Attack conditions
- No special conditions are required; it is repeatable.
If successful
- Confidentiality
- P · data can be read
- Integrity
- none
- Availability
- P · the service can be disrupted
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Confidentiality impact
- P
- Integrity impact
- None
- Availability impact
- P
Weakness class (CWE)
—
CVSS vector
AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:N/A:P
nvd-primary
Attack context
MITRE CAPEC attack patterns and ATT&CK techniques for this weakness class (CWE). A starting point for detection rules and threat hunting.
MITRE has no CAPEC/ATT&CK mapping for this CWE.
Noroxi analysis
No Noroxi analysis for this record yet
We don't hand-write analysis for all 385,000+ vulnerabilities; that wouldn't be honest. For notable, high-impact vulnerabilities our team writes the mechanism, detection and remediation steps.
We use this product, ask for helpChange log
No changes recorded on tracked fields yet. Score, KEV, exploit maturity and fix status changes appear here.
References
- bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=670389
- bugs.python.org/issue14579
- secunia.com/advisories/51087
- secunia.com/advisories/51089
- www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2012/04/25/2
- www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2012/04/25/4
- www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-1615-1
- www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-1616-1
Vendor advisories and official records. Exploit/PoC links are deliberately left out.