Description
Multiple buffer overflows in Python 2.5.2 and earlier on 32bit platforms allow context-dependent attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) or have unspecified other impact via a long string that leads to incorrect memory allocation during Unicode string processing, related to the unicode_resize function and the PyMem_RESIZE macro.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 5.0 | python2.5 | 2.5.2-6+lenny1 | DTSA-157-1 |
| Debian 4.0 | python2.4 | 2.4.4-3+etch2 | DSA-1667-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 5 | python +3 | 2.4.3-24.el5_3.6 | RHSA-2009:1176 |
| RHEL 4 | python +4 | 2.3.4-14.7.el4_8.2 | RHSA-2009:1177 |
| RHEL 3 | python +3 | 2.2.3-6.11 | RHSA-2009:1178 |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES 15 SP1 | python | 2.7.17-7.32.2 | SUSE-SU-2020:0234-1 |
| SLES 15 SP1 | python-base | 2.7.17-7.32.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:0234-1 |
| SLES 15 | python | 2.7.17-7.32.2 | SUSE-SU-2020:0234-1 |
| SLES 15 | python-base | 2.7.17-7.32.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:0234-1 |
| SLES 2 | python | 2.7.17-7.32.2 | SUSE-SU-2020:0234-1 |
| SLES 2 | python-base | 2.7.17-7.32.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:0234-1 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | python | 2.7.18-8.1 | openSUSE-SU-2024:11202-1 |
Azure Linux
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Azure Linux 3 | python-py | No fix yet | — |
Advisories 7
- RHSA-2009:1176 Red Hat Security Advisory: python security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- RHSA-2009:1178 Red Hat Security Advisory: python security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- RHSA-2009:1177 Red Hat Security Advisory: python security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- DSA-1667-1 python2.4 - several vulnerabilities Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DTSA-157-1 python2.5 - multiple vulnerabilities Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:11202-1 python-2.7.18-8.1 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · May 7, 2025
- SUSE-SU-2020:0234-1 Security update for python SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · May 2, 2025
References
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:8422 vdb-entry signature
- 20080813 rPSA-2008-0243-1 idle python mailing-list
- SUSE-SR:2008:017 vendor-advisory
- ADV-2008-2288 vdb-entry
- 32793 third-party-advisory
- python-multiple-bo(44173) vdb-entry
- 30491 vdb-entry
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:11466 vdb-entry signature
- 33937 third-party-advisory
- 37471 third-party-advisory
- 31687 third-party-advisory
- http://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2009-0016.html
- GLSA-200807-16 vendor-advisory
- http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3438
- python-unicode-bo(44170) vdb-entry
- APPLE-SA-2009-02-12 vendor-advisory
- 31358 third-party-advisory
- 31332 third-party-advisory
- USN-632-1 vendor-advisory
- http://bugs.gentoo.org/show_bug.cgi?id=232137
- MDVSA-2008:164 vendor-advisory
- http://bugs.python.org/file10825/issue2620-gps02-patch.txt
- 20091120 VMSA-2009-0016 VMware vCenter and ESX update release and vMA patch release address multiple security issue in third party components mailing-list
- 31518 third-party-advisory
- 31305 third-party-advisory
- 31365 third-party-advisory
- http://bugs.python.org/issue2620
- http://www.novell.com/support/search.do?cmd=displayKC&docType=kc&externalId=InfoDocument-patchbuilder-readme5032900
- 31473 third-party-advisory
- http://wiki.rpath.com/Advisories:rPSA-2008-0243
- DSA-1667 vendor-advisory
- MDVSA-2008:163 vendor-advisory
- SSA:2008-217-01 vendor-advisory
- ADV-2009-3316 vdb-entry