Description
Integer overflow in the get_data function in zipimport.c in CPython (aka Python) before 2.7.12, 3.x before 3.4.5, and 3.5.x before 3.5.2 allows remote attackers to have unspecified impact via a negative data size value, which triggers a heap-based buffer overflow.
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 11 | python2.7 | 2.7.12~rc1-1 | — |
| Debian 8 | python3.4 | 3.4.2-1+deb8u2 | DLA-1663-1 |
| Debian 7 | python2.7 | 2.7.3-6+deb7u3 | DLA-522-1 |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | python2.7 | 2.7.12-1ubuntu0~16.04.1 | USN-3134-1 |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | python3.5 | 3.5.2-2ubuntu0~16.04.1 | USN-3134-1 |
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | python2.7 | 2.7.6-8ubuntu0.3 | USN-3134-1 |
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | python3.4 | 3.4.3-1ubuntu1~14.04.5 | USN-3134-1 |
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | python3.5 | 3.5.2-2ubuntu0~16.04.4~14.04.1 | — |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 7 | python +6 | 2.7.5-48.el7 | RHSA-2016:2586 |
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 SP1 | python3 +1 | 3.6.10-3.42.2 | SUSE-SU-2020:0114-1 |
| 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 15 | python3 +1 | 3.6.10-3.42.2 | SUSE-SU-2020:0114-1 |
| SLES 12 SP2 | python3 +1 | 3.4.5-19.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:2859-1 |
| SLES 12 SP1 | python | 2.7.9-24.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:2106-1 |
| SLES 12 SP1 | python-base | 2.7.9-24.2 | SUSE-SU-2016:2106-1 |
| SLES 12 SP1 | python-doc | 2.7.9-24.4 | SUSE-SU-2016:2106-1 |
| SLES 12 SP1 | python3 +1 | 3.4.5-17.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:2653-1 |
| SLES 12 | python | 2.7.9-16.7.1 | SUSE-SU-2019:0223-1 |
| SLES 12 | python-doc +1 | 2.7.9-16.7.2 | SUSE-SU-2019:0223-1 |
| SLES 12 | python3 +1 | 3.4.5-17.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:2653-1 |
Show 7 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES 11 SP4 | python +1 | 2.6.9-40.15.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:2408-1 |
| SLES 11 SP4 | python-doc | 2.6-8.40.15.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:2408-1 |
| SLES 11 SP3 | python +1 | 2.6.9-40.15.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:2408-1 |
| SLES 11 SP3 | python-doc | 2.6-8.40.15.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:2408-1 |
| 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 |
| SLES for SAP 12 SP2 | python3 +1 | 3.4.5-19.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:2859-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 SP1 | python | 2.7.9-24.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:2106-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 SP1 | python-base | 2.7.9-24.2 | SUSE-SU-2016:2106-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 SP1 | python-doc | 2.7.9-24.4 | SUSE-SU-2016:2106-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 SP1 | python3 +1 | 3.4.5-17.1 | SUSE-SU-2016:2653-1 |
| SLES for SAP 11 SP4 | python +1 | 2.6.9-40.15.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:2408-1 |
| SLES for SAP 11 SP4 | python-doc | 2.6-8.40.15.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:2408-1 |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise Point of Sale 11 SP3 | python +1 | 2.6.9-40.15.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:2408-1 |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise Point of Sale 11 SP3 | python-doc | 2.6-8.40.15.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:2408-1 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | python | 2.7.12-1.5 | openSUSE-SU-2024:10450-1 |
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | python-base | 2.7.12-1.4 | openSUSE-SU-2024:10536-1 |
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | python-doc | 2.7.12-1.3 | openSUSE-SU-2024:10193-1 |
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | python36 | 3.6.15-1.1 | openSUSE-SU-2024:11284-1 |
| openSUSE Leap 15.1 | python3 +1 | 3.6.10-lp151.6.7.1 | openSUSE-SU-2020:0086-1 |
Azure Linux
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Azure Linux 3 | python-py | No fix yet | — |
Oracle Linux
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oracle Linux 7 | python +6 | 2.7.5-48.0.1.el7 | ELSA-2016-2586 |
Public exploits
Exploit or proof-of-concept code for this vulnerability is publicly available, which lowers the bar for attackers. Treat it as a reason to patch sooner.
Third-party code, not reviewed by us. Public PoCs are sometimes fake or contain malware. Read the code first and run it only in an isolated lab, against systems you are authorised to test.
GitHub 1 repository
-
insuyun/CVE-2016-5636 ★ 4 · Mar 28, 2016
CVE-2016-5636
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 18
- RHSA-2016:2586 Red Hat Security Advisory: python security, bug fix, and enhancement update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 27, 2026
- USN-3134-1 python2.7, python3.2, python3.4, python3.5 vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Apr 22, 2026
- DLA-522-1 python2.7 - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DLA-1663-1 python3.4 - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2020:0086-1 Security update for python3 SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:10450-1 python-2.7.12-1.5 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2016:2106-1 Security update for python SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2019:0223-1 Security update for python SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2018:2408-1 Security update for python SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:10193-1 python-doc-2.7.12-1.3 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2020:0114-1 Security update for python3 SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2016:2653-1 Security update for python3 SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:11284-1 python36-3.6.15-1.1 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2016:2859-1 Security update for python3 SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:10536-1 libpython2_7-1_0-2.7.12-1.4 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2020:0234-1 Security update for python SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · May 2, 2025
- WID-SEC-2024-1182 Python: Mehrere Schwachstellen BSI CERT-Bund (WID) · May 20, 2024
- ELSA-2016-2586 Low: python security, bug fix, and enhancement update (Oracle Linux 7) Oracle Linux Security Advisories (ELSA) · Nov 9, 2016
References
- http://www.splunk.com/view/SP-CAAAPUE
- [oss-security] 20160616 Re: CVE Request: heap overflow in Python zipimport module mailing-list
- http://www.splunk.com/view/SP-CAAAPSV
- [debian-lts-announce] 20190207 [SECURITY] [DLA 1663-1] python3.4 security update mailing-list
- https://docs.python.org/3.4/whatsnew/changelog.html#python-3-4-5
- http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/bulletinjul2016-3090568.html
- https://bugs.python.org/issue26171
- https://hg.python.org/cpython/raw-file/v2.7.12/Misc/NEWS
- 1038138 vdb-entry
- 91247 vdb-entry
- GLSA-201701-18 vendor-advisory
- https://docs.python.org/3.5/whatsnew/changelog.html#python-3-5-2
- [oss-security] 20160615 CVE Request: heap overflow in Python zipimport module mailing-list
- RHSA-2016:2586 vendor-advisory
- openSUSE-SU-2020:0086 vendor-advisory