How severe is CVE-2020-15801?

CVE-2020-15801 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2020-15801 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 3% (86th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-15801?

CVE-2020-15801 primarily affects Python. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-15801?

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

When was CVE-2020-15801 published?

CVE-2020-15801 was published on 2020-07-17 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-15801

CVE-2020-15801 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Python with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. 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-426.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
CVSS v2: 7.5
EPSS exploit prediction: 3% (86th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-426
Affected product: Python
Published: 2020-07-17
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

In Python 3.8.4, sys.path restrictions specified in a python38._pth file are ignored, allowing code to be loaded from arbitrary locations. The <executable-name>._pth file (e.g., the python._pth file) is not affected.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-15801?: In Python 3.8.4, sys.path restrictions specified in a python38._pth file are ignored, allowing code to be loaded from arbitrary locations. The <executable-name>._pth file (e.g., the python._pth file) is not affected.
How severe is CVE-2020-15801?: CVE-2020-15801 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2020-15801 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 3% (86th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-15801?: CVE-2020-15801 primarily affects Python. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-15801?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2020-15801 published?: CVE-2020-15801 was published on 2020-07-17 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (2)

cpe:2.3:a:python:python:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:netapp:max_data:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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Threat intelligence

Threat-intel indicators referencing this CVE:

120.28.109.188 (ipv4-addr)
141.109.168.51 (ipv4-addr)