CVE-2016-3957
CWE-502Published: February 6, 2018· Updated: Jun 17, 2026
Official 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.
Technical Analysis
CVE-2016-3957 can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring physical or adjacent access, significantly expanding the attack surface for threat actors.
The vulnerability requires no privileges and no user interaction, making it a prime target for automated exploitation campaigns and worm-like propagation.
A successful exploit results in complete confidentiality breach (data exposure), full integrity compromise (data manipulation), availability disruption (denial of service), with a CVSS base score of 9.8.
From a weakness classification perspective (CWE-502): Insecure deserialization vulnerabilities allow attackers to inject malicious objects during deserialization, potentially enabling remote code execution.
CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown
Affected Vendors & Products
Exploit & PoC Resources
Official Patches & Advisories
All References (6)
Quick Facts
Related CVEs (CWE-502)
Recommended Actions
- →Apply vendor patches immediately
- →Monitor CVE-2016-3957 in threat intel feeds
- →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts