CRITICAL
The secure_load function in gluon/utils.py in web2py before 2.14.2 uses pickle.loads to deserialize session information stored in cookies, which might allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by leveraging knowledge of encryption_key
Published Feb 6, 2018
9.8
CRITICALCVSS 3.0
EPSS 4.94%
Description
The secure_load function in gluon/utils.py in web2py before 2.14.2 uses pickle.loads to deserialize session information stored in cookies, which might allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by leveraging knowledge of encryption_key.
Affected products
Remediation
No remediation recorded yet.
Metrics
No CVSS v4.0 score for this CVE.
No CVSS v3.1 score for this CVE.
9.8 CRITICAL NVD
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Attack Vector Network
Attack Complexity Low
Privileges Required None
User Interaction None
Scope Unchanged
Confidentiality Impact High
Integrity Impact High
Availability Impact High
7.5 HIGH NVD
AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
Access Vector Network
Access Complexity Low
Authentication None
Confidentiality Impact Partial
Integrity Impact Partial
Availability Impact Partial
This CVE is not in the KEV list.
No CISA SSVC assessment for this CVE yet.
4.94% 0.04937
Estimated probability of exploitation in the wild in the next 30 days (FIRST EPSS). As of Oct 1, 2026.
EPSS probability 0.04937
Score over time
2022–2026- EPSS v2
- EPSS v3
- EPSS v4
- EPSS v5
Percentile over time
- EPSS v2
- EPSS v3
- EPSS v4
- EPSS v5
Table of values (21 key points)
Flat stretches are collapsed; showing up to 120 newest points.
| Date | Score | Percentile | Model |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2026 | 4.94% (0.04937) | 91.88th | v5 (v2026.06.15) |
| Jun 15, 2026 | 4.99% (0.04990) | 91.08th | v5 (v2026.06.15) |
| Jul 23, 2025 | 13.31% (0.13310) | 93.83th | v4 (v2025.03.14) |
| May 18, 2025 | 15.04% (0.15041) | 94.19th | v4 (v2025.03.14) |
| Mar 30, 2025 | 11.79% (0.11788) | 93.07th | v4 (v2025.03.14) |
| Mar 29, 2025 | 23.53% (0.23532) | 93.53th | v4 (v2025.03.14) |
| Mar 28, 2025 | 11.79% (0.11788) | 93.07th | v4 (v2025.03.14) |
| Mar 27, 2025 | 23.53% (0.23532) | 95.22th | v4 (v2025.03.14) |
| Mar 20, 2025 | 11.79% (0.11788) | 93.14th | v4 (v2025.03.14) |
| Mar 19, 2025 | 23.53% (0.23532) | 95.30th | v4 (v2025.03.14) |
| Mar 17, 2025 | 8.10% (0.08103) | 91.52th | v4 (v2025.03.14) |
| Dec 17, 2024 | 5.26% (0.05261) | 92.93th | v3 (v2023.03.01) |
| Jan 17, 2024 | 2.07% (0.02067) | 87.84th | v3 (v2023.03.01) |
| Dec 17, 2023 | 2.10% (0.02101) | 87.92th | v3 (v2023.03.01) |
| Jun 30, 2023 | 2.05% (0.02049) | 87.43th | v3 (v2023.03.01) |
| May 8, 2023 | 2.24% (0.02236) | 87.84th | v3 (v2023.03.01) |
| Mar 7, 2023 | 2.08% (0.02080) | 87.29th | v3 (v2023.03.01) |
| Mar 6, 2023 | 5.79% (0.05785) | 90.41th | v2 (v2022.01.01) |
| Nov 3, 2022 | 5.79% (0.05785) | 90.13th | v2 (v2022.01.01) |
| Apr 1, 2022 | 5.63% (0.05634) | 89.29th | v2 (v2022.01.01) |
| Feb 4, 2022 | 5.63% (0.05634) | 76.84th | v2 (v2022.01.01) |
Weaknesses (1)
References (3)
- https://devco.re/blog/2017/01/03/web2py-unserialize-code-execution-CVE-2016-3957/ x_refsource_MISCExploitTechnical DescriptionThird Party Advisory
- https://github.com/web2py/web2py/blob/R-2.14.1/gluon/utils.py#L200 x_refsource_MISCThird Party Advisory
- https://usn.ubuntu.com/4030-1/ vendor-advisoryx_refsource_UBUNTU
| Link | Providers | Tags |
|---|---|---|
| https://devco.re/blog/2017/01/03/web2py-unserialize-code-execution-CVE-2016-3957/ | x_refsource_MISCExploitTechnical DescriptionThird Party Advisory | |
| https://github.com/web2py/web2py/blob/R-2.14.1/gluon/utils.py#L200 | x_refsource_MISCThird Party Advisory | |
| https://usn.ubuntu.com/4030-1/ | vendor-advisoryx_refsource_UBUNTU |
Change history (0)
No recorded changes yet.
Sources
CVE.org / MITRE
Status PUBLISHED
Assigner mitre
Published Feb 6, 2018
Updated Aug 6, 2024
Reserved Apr 5, 2016
Link CVE-2016-3957
CISA Vulnrichment
Updated n/a