Python Software CPython up to 3.9.x SSLContext.set_npn_protocols buffer overflow

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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5.9$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in Python Software CPython up to 3.9.x. Affected by this issue is the function SSLContext.set_npn_protocols. Executing a manipulation can lead to buffer overflow. This vulnerability appears as CVE-2024-5642. There is no available exploit. You should upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Python Software CPython up to 3.9.x. It has been declared as critical. This vulnerability affects the function SSLContext.set_npn_protocols. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a buffer overflow vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-120. The product copies an input buffer to an output buffer without verifying that the size of the input buffer is less than the size of the output buffer, leading to a buffer overflow. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

CPython 3.9 and earlier doesn't disallow configuring an empty list ("[]") for SSLContext.set_npn_protocols() which is an invalid value for the underlying OpenSSL API. This results in a buffer over-read when NPN is used (see CVE-2024-5535 for OpenSSL). This vulnerability is of low severity due to NPN being not widely used and specifying an empty list likely being uncommon in-practice (typically a protocol name would be configured).

The advisory is shared for download at jbp.io. This vulnerability was named CVE-2024-5642 since 06/04/2024. The exploitation appears to be easy. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 207883 (openSUSE 15 Security Update : python3 (SUSE-SU-2024:3470-1)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 3.10.0 eliminates this vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at Tenable (207883) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-2648). Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

Affected

  • IBM AIX
  • IBM VIOS

Productinfo

Type

Vendor

Name

Version

License

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 6.0
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.9

VulDB Base Score: 5.5
VulDB Temp Score: 5.3
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CNA Base Score: 6.5
CNA Vector: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Buffer overflow
CWE: CWE-120 / CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 207883
Nessus Name: openSUSE 15 Security Update : python3 (SUSE-SU-2024:3470-1)

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Upgrade: CPython 3.10.0

Timelineinfo

06/04/2024 🔍
06/27/2024 +23 days 🔍
06/27/2024 +0 days 🔍
11/20/2025 +511 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Advisory: jbp.io
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2024-5642 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2024-5642
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-269908
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-2648 - IBM AIX und VIOS: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 06/27/2024 23:21
Updated: 11/20/2025 14:39
Changes: 06/27/2024 23:21 (55), 06/29/2024 15:48 (1), 09/29/2024 13:22 (3), 11/07/2024 04:52 (11), 11/20/2025 14:39 (7)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

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