An issue was found in CPython 3.12.0 `subprocess` module on POSIX platforms. The issue was fixed in CPython 3.12.1 and does not affect other stable releases. When using the `extra_groups=` parameter with an empty list as a value (ie `extra_groups=[]`) the logic regressed to not call `setgroups(0, NULL)` before calling `exec()`, thus not dropping the original processes' groups before starting the new process. There is no issue when the parameter isn't used or when any value is used besides an empty list. This issue only impacts CPython processes run with sufficient privilege to make the `setgroups` system call (typically `root`).
History

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 15:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Python cpython
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:python:cpython:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:python:cpython:3.13.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Python cpython
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}


Fri, 31 Jul 2026 14:45:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description An issue was found in CPython 3.12.0 `subprocess` module on POSIX platforms. The issue was fixed in CPython 3.12.1 and does not affect other stable releases. When using the `extra_groups=` parameter with an empty list as a value (ie `extra_groups=[]`) the logic regressed to not call `setgroups(0, NULL)` before calling `exec()`, thus not dropping the original processes' groups before starting the new process. There is no issue when the parameter isn't used or when any value is used besides an empty list. This issue only impacts CPython processes run with sufficient privilege to make the `setgroups` system call (typically `root`). An issue was found in CPython 3.12.0 `subprocess` module on POSIX platforms. The issue was fixed in CPython 3.12.1 and does not affect other stable releases. When using the `extra_groups=` parameter with an empty list as a value (ie `extra_groups=[]`) the logic regressed to not call `setgroups(0, NULL)` before calling `exec()`, thus not dropping the original processes' groups before starting the new process. There is no issue when the parameter isn't used or when any value is used besides an empty list. This issue only impacts CPython processes run with sufficient privilege to make the `setgroups` system call (typically `root`).

cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: PSF

Published: 2023-12-08T18:20:49.583Z

Updated: 2026-07-31T14:09:16.715Z

Reserved: 2023-12-04T21:24:50.284Z

Link: CVE-2023-6507

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2024-08-02T08:35:13.267Z

cve-icon NVD

Status : Modified

Published: 2023-12-08T19:15:08.440

Modified: 2026-07-31T15:16:26.330

Link: CVE-2023-6507

cve-icon Redhat

Severity : Moderate

Publid Date: 2023-12-08T00:00:00Z

Links: CVE-2023-6507 - Bugzilla