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Author iankko
Recipients barry, benjamin.peterson, glyph, gregory.p.smith, iankko, loewis, pitrou, psss
Date 2009-05-05.21:00:33
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Message-id <1241557234.83.0.276883492451.issue5753@psf.upfronthosting.co.za>
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Antoine,

  (re: #msg87083, #msg87084) -- while the API change is acceptable and
reasonable, it doesn't solve the core of the problem. I understand
the change needs to be 'backward compatible' and shouldn't break
the existing Python behavior, but the current proposed patch:

1, doesn't avoid the need to fix the issue (by calling
"PySys_SetArgvEx(argc, argv, 0);") in all current applications embedding
Python,

2, doesn't dismiss the risk of future appearance of application, 
embedding Python interpreter and using it in a vulnerable way
(in fact, all what it does, is adding recommendation / alternative
to use more safer PySys_SetArgv(*, *, 0) for such cases. I don't think
we can just rely on the fact, the developers will use it in a safe
way in the future -- or did I overlooked something?

Wouldn't be possible to fix it 'only in Python' and prevent such
potential future malicious (mis)uses?

To Martin (re: #msg87212):

What's the question of 'security nature' of the issue, Glyph in
message #msg86927 already uncovered potential implications --
if the application was written either 'by accident', or 'by intention',
it shouldn't just allow to execute anything with the privileges of
superuser, and even worse, doing it silently (then the only warranty
for the unprivileged user would be to rely on the fact, the function
was called 'in a safe way' in the application and I suppose such
assumption would completely discourage him from running it).

I recommend the final fix should be applied to all active Python
branches (just comment on second part of Martin's comment).

Regards, Jan.
History
Date User Action Args
2009-05-05 21:00:35iankkosetrecipients: + iankko, loewis, barry, gregory.p.smith, pitrou, benjamin.peterson, glyph, psss
2009-05-05 21:00:34iankkosetmessageid: <1241557234.83.0.276883492451.issue5753@psf.upfronthosting.co.za>
2009-05-05 21:00:33iankkolinkissue5753 messages
2009-05-05 21:00:33iankkocreate