CVE-2016-8640: A SQL injection vulnerability in pycsw all versions before 2.0.2, 1.10.5 and 1.8.6 that leads to read and extr

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CRITICAL 9.1REMOTEUPGRADE

CVE-2016-8640 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.1) affecting pycsw. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

A SQL injection vulnerability in pycsw all versions before 2.0.2, 1.10.5 and 1.8.6 that leads to read and extract of any data from any table in the pycsw database that the database user has access to. Also on PostgreSQL (at least) it is possible to perform updates/inserts/deletes and database modifications to any table the database user has access to.

Why this priority

Critical severity
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.1 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	2.3% (top 17%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-89
Published	2018-08-01
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Red Hat, Inc. · Vendor: pycsw

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2018-08-01 18:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 00:54 UTCUpdated Record last modified

pycsw pycsw UPGRADE

Affected: < 1.8.6 · >= 1.10.0 and < 1.10.5 · >= 2.0.0 and < 2.0.2

Fixed in: 1.8.6, 1.10.5, 2.0.2

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.10.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 1.8.6 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade pycsw

Note

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

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.10.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison pycsw sudo apt install pycsw=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.10.0> sudo apt-mark hold pycsw

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list pycsw sudo dnf downgrade pycsw-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.10.0> sudo dnf versionlock add pycsw

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

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-2016-8640?

pycsw: upgrade to 1.8.6, 1.10.5, 2.0.2. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2016-8640 being exploited?

CVE-2016-8640 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-2016-8640 affect?

CVE-2016-8640 affects pycsw. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.1). A SQL injection vulnerability in pycsw all versions before 2.0.2, 1.10.5 and 1.8.6 that leads to read and extract of any data from any table in the pycsw database that the database user has access to. Also on PostgreSQL (at least) it is pos

How urgent is CVE-2016-8640?

Priority 58/100. Critical severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Software pages

PostgreSQL vulnerabilities

References

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