---
id: CVE-2020-15801
title: >-
  In Python 3.8.4, sys.path restrictions specified in a python38._pth file are
  ignored, allowing code to be loaded from arbitrary locations
summary: >-
  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.
severity: critical
cvss: 9.8
cvssVector: 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'
cwe:
  - CWE-426
vendor: python
product: python
affected:
  - 'python >= 3.7.0, < 3.7.9'
  - 'python >= 3.8.0, < 3.8.5'
  - max_data
patched:
  - python 3.8.5
published: '2020-07-17'
updated: '2026-10-14'
sourceUpdated: '2026-10-14T10:17:30.750'
source: NVD
sourceUrl: 'https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-15801'
references:
  - url: 'https://bugs.python.org/issue41304'
    label: cve@mitre.org
  - url: 'https://github.com/python/cpython/pull/21495'
    label: cve@mitre.org
  - url: 'https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20200731-0003/'
    label: cve@mitre.org
  - url: 'https://bugs.python.org/issue41304'
    label: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
  - url: 'https://github.com/python/cpython/pull/21495'
    label: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
  - url: 'https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20200731-0003/'
    label: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
  - url: 'https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-398330.html'
    label: 0b142b55-0307-4c5a-b3c9-f314f3fb7c5e
tags:
  - nvd
  - cve.org
epss: 0.03455
epssPercentile: 0.88753
ingestedAt: '2026-10-14T10:25:41.178Z'
---

## Overview

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.

## Affected

- `python >= 3.7.0, < 3.7.9`
- `python >= 3.8.0, < 3.8.5`
- `max_data`

## Remediation

Upgrade past the affected range:

- `python 3.8.5`