Disclosure summary
In Python before 3.10.3 on Windows, local users can gain privileges because the search path is inadequately secured. The installer may allow a local attacker to add user-writable directories to the system search path. To exploit, an administrator must have installed Python for all users and enabled PATH entries. A non-administrative user can trigger a repair that incorrectly adds user-writable paths into PATH, enabling search-path hijacking of other users and system services. This affects Python (CPython) through 3.7.12, 3.8.x through 3.8.12, 3.9.x through 3.9.10, and 3.10.x through 3.10.2.
Source-reported weakness categories
CWE-426
Source-specific records & product guidance
Sources retain their own attribution and scoring. Follow the original record to confirm affected versions, fixed releases, and configuration conditions.
NIST National Vulnerability Database · NVD-CVE-2022-26488
Open original source · Updated Oct 08, 2026
Only CPE matches marked vulnerable=true are indexed. AND/OR platform conditions must be checked in the original NVD record.
| Vendor | Product / association | Version / bounds |
|---|---|---|
| python | python | * {"versionStartIncluding":"3.10.0","versionEndIncluding":"3.10.2"} |
| python | python | 3.11.0 |
| python | python | 3.11.0 |
| python | python | 3.11.0 |
| python | python | 3.11.0 |
| python | python | 3.11.0 |
| python | python | 3.11.0 |
| netapp | active_iq_unified_manager | - |
| netapp | ontap_select_deploy_administration_utility | - |
Original records & references
- NIST NVD record
- CVE Program record
- mail.python.org
- security.netapp.com — Third Party Advisory
- mail.python.org
- security.netapp.com — Third Party Advisory
PUBLISHED 2022-03-10T12:47:45-05:00
MODIFIED 2026-10-08T17:17:44-04:00
INGESTED 2026-10-10T20:50:21-04:00