Description
An issue was found in CPython 3.12.0 `subprocess` module on POSIX platforms. The issue was fixed in CPython 3.12.1 and does not affect other stable releases. When using the `extra_groups=` parameter with an empty list as a value (ie `extra_groups=[]`) the logic regressed to not call `setgroups(0, NULL)` before calling `exec()`, thus not dropping the original processes' groups before starting the new process. There is no issue when the parameter isn't used or when any value is used besides an empty list. This issue only impacts CPython processes run with sufficient privilege to make the `setgroups` system call (typically `root`).
References (5)
Core 5
Core References
Issue Tracking, Patch issue-tracking
https://github.com/python/cpython/issues/112334
Third Party Advisory vendor-advisory
https://mail.python.org/archives/list/[email protected]/thread/AUL7QFHBLILGISS7U63B47AYSSGJJQZD/
Scores
CVSS v3
6.1
EPSS
0.0008
EPSS Percentile
23.9%
Attack Vector
ADJACENT_NETWORK
CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N
CISA SSVC
Vulnrichment
Exploitation
none
Automatable
no
Technical Impact
total
Details
CWE
CWE-269
Status
published
Products (2)
python/python
3.12.0
python/python
3.13.0 alpha1 (2 CPE variants)
Published
Dec 08, 2023
Tracked Since
Feb 18, 2026