CVE-2019-16784
Local Privilege Escalation present only on the Windows version of PyInstaller
- Published
- Jan 14, 2020
- Updated
- Aug 5, 2024
- Assigning CNA
- GitHub_M
- Evidence observed
- Aug 8, 2026
Primary CVSS
nvd · CVSS 3.1
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HLow · next 30 days
- Percentile
- 51.1%
- Model date
- Sep 21, 2026
EPSS is a statistical estimate, not a certainty or a measure of impact. Combine it with CVSS, KEV status, exposure and your environment.
Summary
In PyInstaller before version 3.6, only on Windows, a local privilege escalation vulnerability is present in this particular case: If a software using PyInstaller in "onefile" mode is launched by a privileged user (at least more than the current one) which have his "TempPath" resolving to a world writable directory. This is the case for example if the software is launched as a service or as a scheduled task using a system account (TempPath will be C:\Windows\Temp). In order to be exploitable the software has to be (re)started after the attacker launch the exploit program, so for a service launched at startup, a service restart is needed (e.g. after a crash or an upgrade).
Sources
2- PyInstallerPrivEscExploit
Exploit for PyInstaller CVE-2019-16784
A Proof of Concept exploit for the PyInstaller CVE-2019-16783
Responsible use
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