python / python/cpython

Single-threaded re-entrancy via a recursive generator causes an access violation (segfault) in `pairwise_next`

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extension-modules type-crash
Dominant language
Python
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Description

Crash report

What happened?

The existing partial fix in main (the it = po->it; if (it == NULL) re-read guard after the first tp_iternext call) does not cover the second tp_iternext call, where it is still a borrowed reference. In the single-threaded case a re-entrant call can trigger Py_CLEAR(po->it) which drops the generator's refcount to zero and frees it, leaving the outer call's local it as a dangling pointer.

Minimal reproducer:

from itertools import pairwise

def g():
    yield next(it)

for _ in range(10000):
    try:
        it = pairwise(g())
        next(it)
    except ValueError:
        pass
Exception ignored in: <generator object g at 0x...>
ValueError: generator already executing
Windows fatal exception: access violation

This is also the root cause of https://github.com/spyder-ide/qtconsole/issues/635.

Some options to address:

  • Py_INCREF(it) before the second tp_iternext(it) call + Py_DECREF after, or
  • a re-entrancy guard flag (like teedataobject.running) as suggested by @rhettinger.

Note: Py_BEGIN_CRITICAL_SECTION (added in PR #144489) does not protect against same-thread re-entrancy.

CPython versions tested on:

CPython main branch

Operating systems tested on:

No response

Output from running 'python -VV' on the command line:

No response

Linked PRs
  • gh-150589

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

Start at the pairwise_next entry point and review linked PR gh-150589 alongside the recursive-generator reproducer. Verify that the second tp_iternext call remains safe during same-thread re-entrancy, and rerun the reproducer to confirm it no longer causes an access violation.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
c, python
Domain
backend
Issue type
Bug
Difficulty
4/5
Estimated time
3-5 days
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Clearly specified
Newbie friendliness
25/100

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