CVE-2024-3220: python software foundation cpython Untrusted Search Path

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2024-3220 is a low (CVSS 2.3) Untrusted Search Path vulnerability in python software foundation cpython. EPSS estimates a 0.60% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 47.4% of scored vulnerabilities.

Timeline

1. 14-02-2025
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 17-10-2026
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

Description

There is a defect in the CPython standard library module “mimetypes” where on Windows the default list of known file locations are writable meaning other users can create invalid files to cause MemoryError to be raised on Python runtime startup or have file extensions be interpreted as the incorrect file type. This defect is caused by the default locations of Linux and macOS platforms (such as “/etc/mime.types”) also being used on Windows, where they are user-writable locations (“C:\etc\mime.types”). To work-around this issue a user can call mimetypes.init() with an empty list (“[]”) on Windows platforms to avoid using the default list of known file locations.

• CWE-426Untrusted Search PathThe product searches for critical resources using an externally-supplied search path that can point to resources that are not under the product's direct control.