Race condition in the xdg.BaseDirectory.get_runtime_dir function in python-xdg 0.25 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files by pre-creating /tmp/pyxdg-runtime-dir-fallback-victim to point to a
Race condition in the xdg.BaseDirectory.get_runtime_dir function in python-xdg 0.25 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files by pre-creating /tmp/pyxdg-runtime-dir-fallback-victim to point to a victim-owned location, then replacing it with a symlink to an attacker-controlled location once the get_runtime_dir function is called.
Affected software
Click a technology to see all vulnerabilities affecting it.
| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Python (PyPI) | pyxdg | >= 0.25, < 0.26 | 0.26 |
References
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2014-1624
- https://github.com/takluyver/pyxdg/commit/bd999c1c3fe7ee5f30ede2cf704cf03e400347b4
- https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/90618
- https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/pyxdg/PYSEC-2014-95.yaml
- https://github.com/takluyver/pyxdg
- https://web.archive.org/web/20200227194825/http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/65042
- http://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=736247
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2014/01/21/3
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2014/01/21/4
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/65042
- https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-7372-q459-jxhr
- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-59- Platform
- Python (PyPI)
- Package
pyxdg- Disclosed
- 28.01.2014
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 12:20
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-7372-q459-jxhr - CC BY 4.0
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - PYSEC-2014-95 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: pyxdg
All published vulnerabilities of this package (Python (PyPI)), newest first. Shows whether this is a one-off slip or a package that needs watching.
- Total entries
- 2
- First → latest
- 01.2014 06.2019
- Without a fix
- 0
- Exploited in attacks
- 0
Severity breakdown
- High 1
- Low 1
Disclosures per year
- 2017: 0
- 2018: 0
- 2019: 1
- 2020: 0
- 2021: 0
- 2022: 0
- 2023: 0
- 2024: 0
- 2025: 0
- 2026: 0
earlier: 1
-
Race condition in the xdg.BaseDirectory.get_runtime_dir function in python-xdg 0.25 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files by pre-creating /tmp/pyxdg-runtime-dir-fallback-victim to point to a this entry
Know which vulnerabilities affect your application
With the DockRay integration and software inventory enabled, DockRay checks reported component versions against known vulnerabilities and notifies you about confirmed matches. Coverage depends on the supported technology and available advisory data.