CVE-2019-9948: Path Traversal

Published Mar 23, 2019
·
Updated

Last updated 25 August 2025

Other sources

urllib in Python 2.x through 2.7.16 supports the localfile: scheme, which makes it easier for remote attackers to bypass protection mechanisms that blacklist file: URIs, as demonstrated by triggering a urllib.urlopen('localfile:///etc/passwd') call.

Reference: https://bugs.python.org/issue35907 https://github.com/python/cpython/pull/11842

— Red Hat

Affected Software

41 affected componentsFixes available
redhat/python<0:2.7.5-86.el7
0:2.7.5-86.el7
redhat/python<0:2.7.5-63.el7_4
0:2.7.5-63.el7_4
redhat/python<0:2.7.5-74.el7_5
0:2.7.5-74.el7_5
redhat/python<0:2.7.5-83.el7_6
0:2.7.5-83.el7_6
redhat/python3<0:3.6.8-15.1.el8
0:3.6.8-15.1.el8
redhat/python27-python<0:2.7.16-6.el6
0:2.7.16-6.el6
redhat/rh-python36-python<0:3.6.9-2.el6
0:3.6.9-2.el6
redhat/python27-python<0:2.7.16-6.el7
0:2.7.16-6.el7
redhat/rh-python36-python<0:3.6.9-2.el7
0:3.6.9-2.el7
Python Python>=2.0<2.7.17
Python Python>=3.5.0<3.5.8
Python Python>=3.6.0<3.6.9
Python Python>=3.7.0<3.7.4
openSUSE Leap=15.0
openSUSE Leap=42.3
Debian Debian Linux=8.0
Debian Debian Linux=9.0
Fedoraproject Fedora=29
Fedoraproject Fedora=30
Canonical Ubuntu Linux=12.04
Canonical Ubuntu Linux=14.04
Canonical Ubuntu Linux=16.04
Canonical Ubuntu Linux=18.04
Canonical Ubuntu Linux=19.04
redhat Enterprise Linux Desktop=7.0
redhat Enterprise Linux Desktop=8.0
redhat Enterprise Linux Eus=8.1
redhat Enterprise Linux Eus=8.2
redhat Enterprise Linux Eus=8.4
redhat Enterprise Linux Eus=8.6
redhat Enterprise Linux Server=7.0
redhat Enterprise Linux Server=8.0
redhat Enterprise Linux Server Eus=8.4
redhat Enterprise Linux Tus=8.2
redhat Enterprise Linux Tus=8.4
redhat Enterprise Linux Tus=8.6
redhat Enterprise Linux Workstation=7.0
redhat Enterprise Linux Workstation=8.0
debian/python2.7
debian/python3.4
debian/python3.5

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/python to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 0:2.7.5-86.el7
  2. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/python to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 0:2.7.5-63.el7_4
  3. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/python to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 0:2.7.5-74.el7_5
  4. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/python to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 0:2.7.5-83.el7_6
  5. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/python3 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 0:3.6.8-15.1.el8
  6. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/python27-python to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 0:2.7.16-6.el6
  7. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/rh-python36-python to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 0:3.6.9-2.el6
  8. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/python27-python to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 0:2.7.16-6.el7
  9. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/rh-python36-python to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 0:3.6.9-2.el7
  10. Configuration

    If the application uses a blacklist to prevent file:// URIs, switch to a whitelist of permitted schemas or add local_file:// to the blacklist to prevent bypass via the local_file: scheme.

    Application URI scheme filtering Allowed/blocked URI schemes = Whitelist required schemas, or add local_file:// to the blacklist

Event History

Mar 23, 2019
CVE Published
12:00 AM
CVE Published
via MITRE·05:07 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·05:07 PM
Description
Data Sourced
via NVD·06:29 PM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Apr 3, 2019
Data Sourced
via Red Hat·11:36 AM
DescriptionSeverityAffected Software
Feb 20, 2026
Data Sourced
via Ubuntu·07:03 PM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityAffected Software
Data Sourced
via Launchpad·07:03 PM
Description
Oct 10, 2026
Data Sourced
via Debian·06:36 PM
DescriptionAffected Software

Parent advisories

This vulnerability appears in the following advisories.

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is CVE-2019-9948?

CVE-2019-9948 is a vulnerability in urllib in Python 2.x through 2.7.16 that allows remote attackers to bypass protection mechanisms.

2

How severe is CVE-2019-9948?

CVE-2019-9948 has a severity rating of 9.1, which is considered critical.

3

Which software versions are affected by CVE-2019-9948?

Python 2.x through 2.7.16 is affected by CVE-2019-9948.

4

How can I fix CVE-2019-9948?

Upgrade to a version of Python that is not affected, such as Python 3.0 or later.

5

Where can I find more information about CVE-2019-9948?

You can find more information about CVE-2019-9948 in the references provided: https://bugs.python.org/issue35907, https://github.com/python/cpython/pull/11842, https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi/show_bug.cgi?id=1695599

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