# CVE-2023-38898: Information disclosure in n/a

> Disputed vulnerability in Python asyncio potentially allowing sensitive information disclosure, though vendor argues no practical exploitability exists.

- **Severity:** Medium 5.3 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 15 Aug 2023
- **Updated:** 8 Oct 2024
- **Also known as:** BIT-python-2023-38898, GHSA-73qf-r7xg-3ghc, PSF-2023-7

## What is CVE-2023-38898?

CVE-2023-38898 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Python Python, published on 15 Aug 2023. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

An issue in Python cpython v.3.7 allows an attacker to obtain sensitive information via the _asyncio._swap_current_task component. NOTE: this is disputed by the vendor because (1) neither 3.7 nor any other release is affected (it is a bug in some 3.12 pre-releases); (2) there are no common scenarios in which an adversary can call _asyncio._swap_current_task but does not already have the ability to call arbitrary functions; and (3) there are no common scenarios in which sensitive information, which is not already accessible to an adversary, becomes accessible through this bug.

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-38898?

1 open source package ship an affected version, including python. It affects 1 product.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `python` | Bitnami | From 3.13.0-alpha0 to 3.13.0-alpha0 | None |

Products: Python Python.

## How do I fix CVE-2023-38898?

No fix has been published for CVE-2023-38898 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2023-38898 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2023-38898 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-2023-38898 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2023-38898 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Python Python, published on 15 Aug 2023. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2023-38898 exists.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- python (Bitnami): affected from 3.13.0-alpha0 up to 3.13.0-alpha0; no fix listed

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-2023-38898/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-38898/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-38898
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-38898
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2023-38898

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-38898/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.