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Debian DLA-2896-1 : ipython - LTS security update

high Nessus Plugin ID 157048

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Synopsis

The remote Debian host is missing a security-related update.

Description

The remote Debian 9 host has packages installed that are affected by a vulnerability as referenced in the dla-2896 advisory.

 It was discovered that there was a potential arbitrary code execution vulnerability in IPython, the interactive Python shell. This issue stemmed from IPython executing untrusted files in the current working directory. According to upstream: Almost all versions of IPython looks for configuration and profiles in current working directory. Since IPython was developed before pip and environments existed, it was used a convenient way to load code/packages in a project dependant way. In 2022, it is not necessary anymore, and can lead to confusing behavior where for example cloning a repository and starting IPython or loading a notebook from any Jupyter-Compatible interface that has ipython set as a kernel can lead to code execution. To address this problem, the current working directory is no longer searched for profiles or configuration files. CVE-2022-21699 IPython (Interactive Python) is a command shell for interactive computing in multiple programming languages, originally developed for the Python programming language.
 Affected versions are subject to an arbitrary code execution vulnerability achieved by not properly managing cross user temporary files. This vulnerability allows one user to run code as another on the same machine. All users are advised to upgrade. For Debian 9 Stretch, these problems have been fixed in version 5.1.0-3+deb9u1. We recommend that you upgrade your ipython packages. Further information about Debian LTS security advisories, how to apply these updates to your system and frequently asked questions can be found at: https://wiki.debian.org/LTS

Tenable has extracted the preceding description block directly from the Debian security advisory.

Note that Nessus has not tested for this issue but has instead relied only on the application's self-reported version number.

Solution

Upgrade the ipython packages.

For Debian 9 Stretch, these problems have been fixed in version 5.1.0-3+deb9u1.

See Also

https://www.debian.org/lts/security/2022/dla-2896

https://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2022-21699

https://packages.debian.org/source/stretch/ipython

Plugin Details

Severity: High

ID: 157048

File Name: debian_DLA-2896.nasl

Version: 1.5

Type: local

Agent: unix

Published: 1/24/2022

Updated: 1/24/2025

Supported Sensors: Frictionless Assessment Agent, Nessus Agent, Agentless Assessment, Continuous Assessment, Nessus

Risk Information

VPR

Risk Factor: High

Score: 7.3

CVSS v2

Risk Factor: Medium

Base Score: 4.6

Temporal Score: 3.6

Vector: CVSS2#AV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P

CVSS Score Source: CVE-2022-21699

CVSS v3

Risk Factor: High

Base Score: 8.8

Temporal Score: 7.9

Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

Temporal Vector: CVSS:3.0/E:P/RL:O/RC:C

Vulnerability Information

CPE: p-cpe:/a:debian:debian_linux:ipython, p-cpe:/a:debian:debian_linux:python-ipython-doc, cpe:/o:debian:debian_linux:9.0, p-cpe:/a:debian:debian_linux:ipython3, p-cpe:/a:debian:debian_linux:python3-ipython, p-cpe:/a:debian:debian_linux:python-ipython

Required KB Items: Host/local_checks_enabled, Host/Debian/release, Host/Debian/dpkg-l

Exploit Available: true

Exploit Ease: Exploits are available

Patch Publication Date: 1/24/2022

Vulnerability Publication Date: 1/19/2022

Reference Information

CVE: CVE-2022-21699