VDB-373111 · CVE-2026-11972 · Issue 151981

Python CPython up to 3.15.x Tarfile return value

CVSS Meta Temp Score CVSS is a standardized scoring system to determine possibilities of attacks. The Temp Score considers temporal factors like disclosure, exploit and countermeasures. The unique Meta Score calculates the average score of different sources to provide a normalized scoring system.	Current Exploit Price (≈) Our analysts are monitoring exploit markets and are in contact with vulnerability brokers. The range indicates the observed or calculated exploit price to be seen on exploit markets. A good indicator to understand the monetary effort required for and the popularity of an attack.	CTI Interest Score Our Cyber Threat Intelligence team is monitoring different web sites, mailing lists, exploit markets and social media networks. The CTI Interest Score identifies the interest of attackers and the security community for this specific vulnerability in real-time. A high score indicates an elevated risk to be targeted for this vulnerability.
5.1	$0-$5k	5.76

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability marked as problematic has been reported in Python CPython up to 3.15.x. This affects an unknown part of the component Tarfile Module. This manipulation causes return value. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2026-11972. The attack can be initiated remotely. There is not any exploit available. It is suggested to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Python CPython up to 3.15.x. It has been declared as problematic. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown code of the component Tarfile Module. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a return value vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-252. The product does not check the return value from a method or function, which can prevent it from detecting unexpected states and conditions. As an impact it is known to affect availability. The summary by CVE is:

When using the "tarfile" module with a file opened in "streaming mode" (mode="r|") the tarfile module did not properly handle EOF, meaning an archive could be parsed in an infinite loop.

It is possible to read the advisory at github.com. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2026-11972 since 06/11/2026. The exploitation appears to be easy. The attack can be launched remotely. The exploitation doesn't need any form of authentication. The technical details are unknown and an exploit is not publicly available.

Upgrading to version 3.16.0 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying a patch is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at github.com. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Type

Programming Language Software

Vendor

Python

Name

CPython

Version

License

open-source

Website

Product: https://github.com/python/cpython/

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CNA CVSS-B Score: 🔒
CNA CVSS-BT Score: 🔒
CNA Vector: 🔒

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.3
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.1

VulDB Base Score: 5.3
VulDB Temp Score: 5.1
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AV	AC	Au	C	I	A
💳	💳	💳	💳	💳	💳
💳	💳	💳	💳	💳	💳
💳	💳	💳	💳	💳	💳

Vector	Complexity	Authentication	Confidentiality	Integrity	Availability
Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock
Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock
Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock

VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Return value
CWE: CWE-252 / CWE-253
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined
Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

0-Day	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock
Today	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: CPython 3.16.0
Patch: github.com

Timelineinfo

06/11/2026 CVE reserved
06/24/2026 +13 days Advisory disclosed
06/24/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
06/24/2026 +0 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Product: github.com

Advisory: 151981
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-11972 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-11972
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-373111

Entryinfo

Created: 06/24/2026 07:36
Changes: 06/24/2026 07:36 (69)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103