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🛡️ CVE-2024-5642 — libpython

🟡 CVSS 6.5 — Medium ✅ No Known Exploit NVD
6.5
CVSS Score
0 Low4 Medium7 High9 Critical10

Description

Buffer overread when using an empty list with SSLContext.set_npn_protocols()

CPython 3.9 and earlier doesn't disallow configuring an empty list ("[]") for SSLContext.set_npn_protocols() which is an invalid value for the underlying OpenSSL API. This results in a buffer over-read when NPN is used (see CVE-2024-5535 for OpenSSL). This vulnerability is of low severity due to NPN being not widely used and specifying an empty list likely being uncommon in-practice (typically a protocol name would be configured).

How this vulnerability can be exploited

This issue can be reached over the network, attack complexity is low, an attacker needs no privileges on the target. No user interaction is required. The scope is unchanged, so the impact stays within the vulnerable component. Rated impact: confidentiality low, integrity none, availability low.

CVSS metrics in full

The score comes from this vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:L

  • Attack vector: Network — reachable from anywhere that can route to the service.
  • Attack complexity: Low — the attack works reliably, with no preparation.
  • Privileges required: None — an unauthenticated stranger can try it.
  • User interaction: None — nobody has to be tricked into anything.
  • Scope: Unchanged — the damage stays inside the vulnerable component.
  • Confidentiality impact: Low — limited, and the attacker does not choose what is affected.
  • Integrity impact: None.
  • Availability impact: Low — limited, and the attacker does not choose what is affected.

Affected software

CVE-2024-5642 is recorded against 4 packages.

  • libpython
  • python
  • python-min
  • unknown

Timeline and source

Published on 14 October 2025. No public exploit is currently recorded for this entry. Record sourced from NVD.

References

www.openwall.com (Web)
github.com (Web)
github.com (Web)
github.com (Web)
github.com (Web)
jbp.io (Web)
mail.python.org (Web)
nvd.nist.gov (Web)
security.netapp.com (Web)

Other advisories for this package

libpython has other advisories on record. If you are patching this one, these are worth checking on the same host:

CVE-2024-5642 on other distributions

Each distribution ships its own build and its own fixed version. Pick the one you run:

Details

Severity MEDIUM
CVSS Score 6.5
CVSS Vector CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:L
CWE N/A
Public Exploit ✅ No
Source NVD
Published 2025-10-14
Updated 2026-08-20
Modified 2025-10-14
Fix URL N/A

Affected Packages

Software From version Fixed in
libpython — —
python — —
python-min — —
unknown — —

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ⓘ Data Notice: The information presented above has been compiled from publicly available internet sources. Boteraser aggregates this data solely for informational purposes and does not independently classify, evaluate, or endorse any findings about the vulnerabilities listed. The accuracy and completeness of this information is the sole responsibility of the original publishers. Boteraser and its operators accept no liability for any decisions made based on this data.

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