How severe is CVE-2017-17522?

CVE-2017-17522 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2017-17522 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 4% (88th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2017-17522?

CVE-2017-17522 affects Python. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2017-17522?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2017-17522 published?

CVE-2017-17522 was published on 2017-12-14 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2017-17522

CVE-2017-17522 is a high-severity vulnerability in Python with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-74.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.8)
CVSS v2: 6.8
EPSS exploit prediction: 4% (88th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-74
Affected product: Python
Published: 2017-12-14
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Lib/webbrowser.py in Python through 3.6.3 does not validate strings before launching the program specified by the BROWSER environment variable, which might allow remote attackers to conduct argument-injection attacks via a crafted URL. NOTE: a software maintainer indicates that exploitation is impossible because the code relies on subprocess.Popen and the default shell=False setting

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2017-17522?: Lib/webbrowser.py in Python through 3.6.3 does not validate strings before launching the program specified by the BROWSER environment variable, which might allow remote attackers to conduct argument-injection attacks via a crafted URL. NOTE: a software maintainer indicates that exploitation is impossible because the code relies on subprocess.Popen and the default shell=False setting
How severe is CVE-2017-17522?: CVE-2017-17522 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2017-17522 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 4% (88th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2017-17522?: CVE-2017-17522 affects Python. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2017-17522?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2017-17522 published?: CVE-2017-17522 was published on 2017-12-14 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:python:python:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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Threat intelligence

Threat-intel indicators referencing this CVE:

203.192.232.180 (ipv4-addr)
177.53.215.134 (ipv4-addr)
5.99.196.202 (ipv4-addr)
222.88.237.152 (ipv4-addr)
121.164.135.251 (ipv4-addr)
120.224.15.67 (ipv4-addr)
182.180.59.208 (ipv4-addr)
223.83.132.8 (ipv4-addr)