python / python/cpython

LeakSanitizer detects memory leaks in test_import with _testsinglephase module in subinterpreter

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pending tests topic-subinterpreters type-bug
Dominant language
Python
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Forks
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Description

Bug report

Bug description:

LeakSanitizer detects memory leaks when running test_import with the _testsinglephase module loaded in a subinterpreter.

How to Reproduce

Build:

CC=clang CXX=clang++ ./configure --disable-optimizations --with-pydebug --with-address-sanitizer && make -j$(nproc)

Run:

./python -X dev -X showrefcount -m test test_import -j0
Leak Summary
==643791==ERROR: LeakSanitizer: detected memory leaks
SUMMARY: AddressSanitizer: 6709 byte(s) leaked in 45 allocation(s).
Code Locations

The leaks originate from:

Subinterpreter execution:

Module initialization:

Import machinery:

Leaked Objects
  • Type objects (1016 bytes × 2): via type_newPyErr_NewException
  • Dictionary keys (424 bytes × 2): via new_keys_objectPyDict_SetItemString
  • PyCMethod objects (384 bytes × 2 groups): via PyModule_AddFunctions
  • Additional: Unicode strings, tuples, dictionaries
Full Output

See attached .log files for complete LeakSanitizer output for each version.

312.log
313.log
314.log
main.log

CPython versions tested on:

3.12, 3.13, 3.14, 3.15, CPython main branch

Operating systems tested on:

Linux

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

First steps

  1. Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
  2. Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
  3. Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
  4. Open a pull request that references the issue number.

Research direction

Reproduce the leak with the documented ASan build and ./python -X dev -X showrefcount -m test test_import -j0. Then inspect Modules/_testcapimodule.c (run_in_subinterp), Modules/_testsinglephase.c (init__testsinglephase_basic and init_state), and Python/importdl.c (_PyImport_RunModInitFunc). Done means the test completes without LeakSanitizer reporting the listed leaks.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
c, python
Domain
performance, testing
Issue type
Bug
Difficulty
4/5
Estimated time
3-5 days
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
35/100

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