CVE-2012-2242: scripts/dget.pl in devscripts before 2.10.73 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via a craft

Q: How do I fix CVE-2012-2242?

devscripts: upgrade to newer than 2.10.72. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2012-2242 being exploited?

CVE-2012-2242 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2012-2242 affect?

CVE-2012-2242 affects devscripts. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.8). scripts/dget.pl in devscripts before 2.10.73 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via a crafted (1) .dsc or (2) .changes file, related to "arguments to external commands" that are not properly escaped, a different vulnerabi

Q: How urgent is CVE-2012-2242?

Priority 48/100. On your watchlist

This month

MEDIUM 6.8WATCHLISTUPGRADE

CVE-2012-2242 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.8) affecting devscripts. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

scripts/dget.pl in devscripts before 2.10.73 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via a crafted (1) .dsc or (2) .changes file, related to "arguments to external commands" that are not properly escaped, a different vulnerability than CVE-2012-2240.

Why this priority

On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	6.8 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	1.7% (top 23%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-20
Published	2012-10-01
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): Debian GNU/Linux · Vendor: devscripts devel team

Last updated 2026-06-16 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2012-10-01 00:55 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 23:41 UTCUpdated Record last modified

devscripts devel team devscripts UPGRADE

Affected: <= 2.10.72 · 2.10.0 · 2.10.1 · 2.10.3 · 2.10.6 · 2.10.7 · 2.10.8 · 2.10.9

Fixed in: newer than 2.10.72

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy devscripts || rpm -q devscripts || devscripts --version

2. UPGRADE to newer than 2.10.72 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade devscripts

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade devscripts

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2012-2242?

devscripts: upgrade to newer than 2.10.72. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2012-2242 being exploited?

CVE-2012-2242 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2012-2242 affect?

CVE-2012-2242 affects devscripts. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.8). scripts/dget.pl in devscripts before 2.10.73 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via a crafted (1) .dsc or (2) .changes file, related to "arguments to external commands" that are not properly escaped, a different vulnerabi

How urgent is CVE-2012-2242?

Priority 48/100. On your watchlist

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References

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