How severe is CVE-2023-6507?

CVE-2023-6507 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.1, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over an adjacent network with low attack complexity, requires high privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability none.

Is CVE-2023-6507 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (68th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2023-6507?

CVE-2023-6507 primarily affects Python. In total, 3 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2023-6507?

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

When was CVE-2023-6507 published?

CVE-2023-6507 was published on 2023-12-08 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2023-6507

CVE-2023-6507 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Python with a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.1. 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-269.

Key facts

Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 6.1)
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (68th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-269
Affected product: Python
Published: 2023-12-08
Last modified: 2026-06-17

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`).

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2023-6507?: 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`).
How severe is CVE-2023-6507?: CVE-2023-6507 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.1, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over an adjacent network with low attack complexity, requires high privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability none.
Is CVE-2023-6507 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (68th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2023-6507?: CVE-2023-6507 primarily affects Python. In total, 3 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2023-6507?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2023-6507 published?: CVE-2023-6507 was published on 2023-12-08 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (3)

cpe:2.3:a:python:python:3.12.0:-:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:python:python:3.13.0:alpha1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:python:python:3.13.0:alpha2:*:*:*:*:*:*

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Threat intelligence

Threat-intel indicators referencing this CVE:

172.110.223.179 (ipv4-addr)