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Critical, CVSS 9.8amended

web2py remote code execution via hardcoded encryption key in session.connect function

CVE-2016-3953GHSA-q2rq-qgcf-m22w

What to do

Vendor fix available. Upgrade each affected package to the fixed version on its release line (web2py 2.14.2), redeploy, then verify what is actually installed.

This page has no inventory attached, so it cannot say whether you are affected. A vendor fix is not proof that your deployment is fixed.

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Affected packages

  • PyPI web2py

    Affected
    < 2.14.2
    Fixed in
    2.14.2

Sources

Severity and exploitation
Exploitation
No confirmed exploitation recorded. Patch Next marks exploitation only from CISA KEV.
CVSS
9.8 · CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS
  • CVE-2016-3953: 3.34% estimated exploitation activity in the next 30 days; percentile 88.67 (FIRST EPSS, 2026-11-03). This is a model estimate, not proof of exploitation or customer exposure.
Source description

As published by the source; long descriptions are shortened.

The sample web application in web2py before 2.14.2 might allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via vectors involving use of a hardcoded encryption key when calling the session.connect function.

Dates and revisions
Published by the source
Last modified by the source
Source last checked
  1. Revision 2 · amended ·

    Amended from ghsa record GHSA-q2rq-qgcf-m22w

  2. Revision 1 · created ·

    Published from osv record GHSA-q2rq-qgcf-m22w

Agent brief

Preview the exact text before you copy it. Commands are read-only suggestions; review them before running anything.

# Patch Next advisory brief: CVE-2016-3953

Advisory: web2py remote code execution via hardcoded encryption key in session.connect function
IDs: CVE-2016-3953, GHSA-q2rq-qgcf-m22w
Record: https://patchnext.com/advisories/cve-2016-3953 (revision 2, source checked 26 Oct 2026, 13:11 UTC)
Inventory: none attached. This brief comes from a public page and does not say whether any deployment is affected.
Severity: Critical (CVSS 9.8)
Exploitation: no confirmed exploitation recorded. Patch Next confirms exploitation only from CISA KEV.
Vendor response: Vendor fix available; fixed versions by package: web2py 2.14.2. A vendor fix does not mean a deployment is fixed.

## Affected components
- PyPI web2py: affected < 2.14.2; fixed in 2.14.2

## Suggested inspection (read-only)
- `python -m pip show web2py`: prints the installed version. Run with the environment that serves production active.

## Supported action
Upgrade each affected component to a fixed version on its release line. For a transitive dependency, upgrade the parent package or add an override or constraint, then regenerate the lockfile. Redeploy every environment that ran an affected version.

## Required regression checks
- Run the test suite and a production build.
- Exercise the features that depend on web2py.
- Repeat the inspection and confirm that only fixed versions remain installed.

## Rollback considerations
- Keep the previous lockfile and deployment artifact. Rolling back reinstates the vulnerable version, so apply any documented mitigation while you fix forward.

## Unresolved questions
- Which deployments run an affected version?
- Exploitation status can change. Check again before lowering the priority.
- Mark the work resolved only after the fixed version is verified in production.

## Sources
- Verified: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/GHSA-q2rq-qgcf-m22w (OSV record GHSA-q2rq-qgcf-m22w lists affected ranges: PyPI web2py >=0 <2.14.2 (fixed))
- Verified: https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-q2rq-qgcf-m22w (GitHub-reviewed advisory GHSA-q2rq-qgcf-m22w lists affected ranges: PyPI web2py >=0 <2.14.2)

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