In Python 3.8.4, sys.path restrictions specified in a python38._pth file are ignored, allowing code to be loaded from arbitrary locations. The ._pth file (e.g., the python._pth file) is not affected.
Source: https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2020-15801
Reference (s):
- https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20200731-0003/
- https://bugs.python.org/issue41304
- https://github.com/python/cpython/pull/21495