Email Module Vulnerability in Python Packages: CVE-2019-16056
Summary
ALPINE-CVE-2019-16056: An issue was discovered in Python through 2.7.16, 3.x through 3.5.7, 3.6.x through 3.6.9, and 3.7.x through 3.7.4. Affects python2 versions < 2.7.16-r3. Fixed in 2.7.16-r3. How to fix ↓
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Background
Python is a widely-used high-level programming language known for its readability and versatility. It supports multiple programming paradigms and has a vast ecosystem of libraries and frameworks. The email module in Python is designed to manage email messages, including headers and payloads. However, certain versions of Python have a vulnerability that allows improper parsing of email addresses, which can lead to security issues.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-16056 affects Python versions up to 2.7.16 and 3.x versions up to 3.7.4. It arises from the email module's failure to correctly parse email addresses containing multiple '@' characters. This flaw can enable attackers to craft malicious email addresses that bypass validation checks, potentially leading to unauthorized access or exploitation of applications that rely on the email module for processing email headers.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
2.7.16-r3
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo apk add --upgrade python2Tip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, applications can implement additional validation checks on email addresses before processing them. This can be done by using regular expressions to ensure that email addresses conform to expected formats and do not contain multiple '@' characters.
Conclusion
CVE-2019-16056 is a significant vulnerability in the Python email module that can lead to security risks if not addressed. Updating to the patched versions of Python and implementing validation checks are crucial steps to mitigate this vulnerability.
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FAQ
CVE-2019-16056 is a vulnerability in the Python email module that allows for improper parsing of email addresses, potentially leading to security issues.
The vulnerability affects Python versions up to 2.7.16 and 3.x versions up to 3.7.4.
You can use the Vulert platform to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability by analyzing your manifest file without needing to install any software.
The CVSS score for CVE-2019-16056 is 7.5, indicating a high severity level.
If immediate updates are not possible, implement additional validation checks on email addresses as a temporary workaround.
References
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