---
id: CVE-2022-26488
title: >-
  In Python before 3.10.3 on Windows, local users can gain privileges because
  the search path is inadequately secured
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 admi…
severity: high
cvss: 7
cvssVector: 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'
cwe:
  - CWE-426
vendor: python
product: python
affected:
  - python <= 3.7.12
  - 'python >= 3.8.0, <= 3.8.12'
  - 'python >= 3.9.0, <= 3.9.10'
  - 'python >= 3.10.0, <= 3.10.2'
  - python = 3.11.0
  - active_iq_unified_manager
  - ontap_select_deploy_administration_utility
published: '2022-03-10'
updated: '2026-10-14'
sourceUpdated: '2026-10-14T17:17:36.123'
source: NVD
sourceUrl: 'https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-26488'
references:
  - url: >-
      https://mail.python.org/archives/list/security-announce%40python.org/thread/657Z4XULWZNIY5FRP3OWXHYKUSIH6DMN/
    label: cve@mitre.org
  - url: 'https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20220419-0005/'
    label: cve@mitre.org
  - url: >-
      https://mail.python.org/archives/list/security-announce%40python.org/thread/657Z4XULWZNIY5FRP3OWXHYKUSIH6DMN/
    label: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
  - url: 'https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20220419-0005/'
    label: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
  - url: 'https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-398330.html'
    label: 0b142b55-0307-4c5a-b3c9-f314f3fb7c5e
tags:
  - nvd
  - exploit-available
  - cve.org
epss: 0.01495
epssPercentile: 0.74048
exploits:
  github: 1
  githubRepos:
    - 'https://github.com/techspence/PyPATHPwner'
  checkedAt: '2026-10-27T16:40:33.157Z'
exploitAvailable: true
ingestedAt: '2026-10-08T22:11:53.748Z'
ssvc:
  exploitation: none
  automatable: 'no'
  technicalImpact: total
  timestamp: '2026-10-08T20:58:08.947847Z'
---

## Overview

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.

## Affected

- `python <= 3.7.12`
- `python >= 3.8.0, <= 3.8.12`
- `python >= 3.9.0, <= 3.9.10`
- `python >= 3.10.0, <= 3.10.2`
- `python = 3.11.0`
- `active_iq_unified_manager`
- `ontap_select_deploy_administration_utility`

## Remediation

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