How severe is CVE-2023-38898?

CVE-2023-38898 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.3, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is low, integrity none, and availability none.

Is CVE-2023-38898 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (71st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2023-38898?

CVE-2023-38898 affects Python. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2023-38898?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.

When was CVE-2023-38898 published?

CVE-2023-38898 was published on 2023-08-15 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2023-38898

CVE-2023-38898 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Python with a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.3. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low.

Key facts

Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 5.3)
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (71st percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Affected product: Python
Published: 2023-08-15
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

An issue in Python cpython v.3.7 allows an attacker to obtain sensitive information via the _asyncio._swap_current_task component. NOTE: this is disputed by the vendor because (1) neither 3.7 nor any other release is affected (it is a bug in some 3.12 pre-releases); (2) there are no common scenarios in which an adversary can call _asyncio._swap_current_task but does not already have the ability to call arbitrary functions; and (3) there are no common scenarios in which sensitive information, which is not already accessible to an adversary, becomes accessible through this bug.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2023-38898?: An issue in Python cpython v.3.7 allows an attacker to obtain sensitive information via the _asyncio._swap_current_task component. NOTE: this is disputed by the vendor because (1) neither 3.7 nor any other release is affected (it is a bug in some 3.12 pre-releases); (2) there are no common scenarios in which an adversary can call _asyncio._swap_current_task but does not already have the ability to call arbitrary functions; and (3) there are no common scenarios in which sensitive information, which is not already accessible to an adversary, becomes accessible through this bug.
How severe is CVE-2023-38898?: CVE-2023-38898 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.3, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is low, integrity none, and availability none.
Is CVE-2023-38898 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (71st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2023-38898?: CVE-2023-38898 affects Python. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2023-38898?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2023-38898 published?: CVE-2023-38898 was published on 2023-08-15 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://github.com/python/cpython/issues/105987

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:python:python:3.13.0:alpha0:*:*:*:*:*:*

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Threat intelligence

Threat-intel indicators referencing this CVE:

172.110.223.179 (ipv4-addr)