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CVE-2021-23336

python: Web cache poisoning via urllib.parse.parse_qsl and urllib.parse.parse_qs by using a semicolon in query parameters

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Severity

Moderate

Red Hat Product Security

5.9

CVSS 3.1

Review impact separately from score.

Published · February 13, 2021

Updated · November 1, 2026

Description

The package python/cpython is vulnerable to Web Cache Poisoning via urllib.parse.parse_qsl and urllib.parse.parse_qs by using a vector called parameter cloaking. When the attacker can separate query parameters using a semicolon (;), they can cause a difference in the interpretation of the request between the proxy (running with default configuration) and the server. This can result in malicious requests being cached as completely safe ones, as the proxy would usually not see the semicolon as a separator, and therefore would not include it in a cache key of an unkeyed parameter.

Statement

The python2.7 component in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 is listed as not affected as it was removed prior to the release of RHEL-9.0.

The python3.9 component in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 is listed as not affected as a patched version was verified in RHEL-9.0 beta and the RHEL-9.0 GA release included this patched version.

The python36 component in the python36:3.6 module in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 is listed as not affected, as it does not contain Python interpreter or libraries. Packages of the python36 component only provide convenient links to the Python interpreter included in the non-modular python3 component's platform-python packages. Users of python36:3.6 module also need to check the entry for the python3 component to determine if their systems are affected.

Red Hat Ceph Storage (RHCS) 3 ships an older version of python-django without the directly affected function, but which is still vulnerable to a similar attack involving the semi colon separator. Hence, impact has been rated as Low.

Although Red Hat OpenStack Platform 13 & 16.1 both ship the affected code, since the proxy is controlled and configured by OpenStack, the impact has been lowered to Low. As a fix would require a substantial effort or commitment of time, no fix will be provided at this time.

CVSS score applicability

The CVSS score(s) listed for this vulnerability do not reflect the associated product's status, and are included for informational purposes to better understand the severity of this vulnerability.

Mitigation

No mitigation is specified in collected source.

CVSS / CWE

CVSS 3.1 · 5.9
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:H

CWE-444 · Inconsistent Interpretation of HTTP Requests