# CVE-2017-20052: Python pgAdmin4 uncontrolled search path

> An uncontrolled search path vulnerability in pgAdmin4 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via malicious library loading.

- **Severity:** Medium 5.0 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Any signed-in user
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 16 Jun 2022
- **Updated:** 15 Apr 2025
- **Also known as:** GHSA-w84r-7gx4-7v92

## What is CVE-2017-20052?

CVE-2017-20052 is a medium-severity path traversal vulnerability in Python Python, published on 16 Jun 2022. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

A vulnerability classified as problematic was found in Python 2.7.13. This vulnerability affects unknown code of the component pgAdmin4. The manipulation leads to uncontrolled search path. The attack can be initiated remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used.

Weakness: CWE-427 (Uncontrolled Search Path Element)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2017-20052?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Python Python.

## How do I fix CVE-2017-20052?

No fix has been published for CVE-2017-20052 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2017-20052 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2017-20052 exists.

## Other vulnerabilities in Python Python

- [CVE-2008-5031](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2008-5031/): Integer overflow in n/a (critical 10.0)
- [CVE-2014-4650](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2014-4650/): Path traversal in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2016-5636](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2016-5636/): Integer overflow in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2007-4559](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2007-4559/): Path traversal in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2017-17522](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-17522/): Command injection in n/a (high 8.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2017-20052 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2017-20052 is a medium-severity path traversal vulnerability in Python Python, published on 16 Jun 2022. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2017-20052 exists.

Affected product: Python Python. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-20052/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-20052/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2017-20052
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-20052
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2017-20052

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-20052/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.