CVE-2022-40809: The d8s-dicts for python, as distributed on PyPI, included a potential code-execution backdoor inserted by a t

Q: How do I fix CVE-2022-40809?

democritus dicts: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2022-40809 being exploited?

CVE-2022-40809 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-2022-40809 affect?

CVE-2022-40809 affects democritus dicts. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). The d8s-dicts for python, as distributed on PyPI, included a potential code-execution backdoor inserted by a third party. The backdoor is the democritus-hypothesis package. The affected version is 0.1.0

Q: How urgent is CVE-2022-40809?

Priority 57/100. Critical severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

This month

CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2022-40809 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting democritus dicts. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The d8s-dicts for python, as distributed on PyPI, included a potential code-execution backdoor inserted by a third party. The backdoor is the democritus-hypothesis package. The affected version is 0.1.0

Why this priority

Critical severity
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	1.3% (top 30%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2022-09-19
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: democritus dicts project

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2022-09-19 16:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 05:02 UTCUpdated Record last modified

democritus dicts project democritus dicts DOWNGRADE

Affected: 0.1.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 0.1.0

1. Check installed version

pip show democritus-dicts

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 0.1.0

pip index versions democritus-dicts pip install "democritus-dicts<0.1.0"

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-2022-40809?

democritus dicts: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2022-40809 being exploited?

CVE-2022-40809 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-2022-40809 affect?

CVE-2022-40809 affects democritus dicts. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). The d8s-dicts for python, as distributed on PyPI, included a potential code-execution backdoor inserted by a third party. The backdoor is the democritus-hypothesis package. The affected version is 0.1.0

How urgent is CVE-2022-40809?

Priority 57/100. Critical severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Software pages

Python vulnerabilities · PyPI packages vulnerabilities

References

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