---
id: CVE-2023-6507
title: An issue was found in CPython 3.12.0 `subprocess` module on POSIX platforms
summary: >-
  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
  `ex…
severity: medium
cvss: 6.1
cvssVector: 'CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N'
cwe:
  - CWE-269
vendor: python
product: python
affected:
  - python = 3.12.0
  - python = 3.13.0
published: '2023-12-08'
updated: '2026-07-31'
source: NVD
sourceUrl: 'https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-6507'
references:
  - url: >-
      https://github.com/python/cpython/commit/10e9bb13b8dcaa414645b9bd10718d8f7179e82b
    label: cna@python.org
  - url: >-
      https://github.com/python/cpython/commit/85bbfa8a4bbdbb61a3a84fbd7cb29a4096ab8a06
    label: cna@python.org
  - url: >-
      https://github.com/python/cpython/commit/9fe7655c6ce0b8e9adc229daf681b6d30e6b1610
    label: cna@python.org
  - url: 'https://github.com/python/cpython/issues/112334'
    label: cna@python.org
  - url: >-
      https://mail.python.org/archives/list/security-announce@python.org/thread/AUL7QFHBLILGISS7U63B47AYSSGJJQZD/
    label: cna@python.org
  - url: >-
      https://github.com/python/cpython/commit/10e9bb13b8dcaa414645b9bd10718d8f7179e82b
    label: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
  - url: >-
      https://github.com/python/cpython/commit/85bbfa8a4bbdbb61a3a84fbd7cb29a4096ab8a06
    label: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
  - url: >-
      https://github.com/python/cpython/commit/9fe7655c6ce0b8e9adc229daf681b6d30e6b1610
    label: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
  - url: 'https://github.com/python/cpython/issues/112334'
    label: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
  - url: >-
      https://mail.python.org/archives/list/security-announce@python.org/thread/AUL7QFHBLILGISS7U63B47AYSSGJJQZD/
    label: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
tags:
  - nvd
epss: 0.01326
epssPercentile: 0.69728
ingestedAt: '2026-07-31T15:59:51.921Z'
---

## Overview

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`).

## Affected

- `python = 3.12.0`
- `python = 3.13.0`

## Remediation

Refer to the linked advisories for vendor-supplied fixes and affected version ranges.