CVE-2022-42039: The d8s-lists package for Python, as distributed on PyPI, included a potential code-execution backdoor inserte

Q: How do I fix CVE-2022-42039?

d8s-lists: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2022-42039 being exploited?

CVE-2022-42039 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-2022-42039 affect?

CVE-2022-42039 affects d8s-lists. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). The d8s-lists package for Python, as distributed on PyPI, included a potential code-execution backdoor inserted by a third party. The backdoor is the democritus-dicts package. The affected version is 0.1.0.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2022-42039?

Priority 63/100. Critical severity; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

This week

CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2022-42039 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting d8s-lists. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

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

Why this priority

Critical severity
Public exploit reference
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	1.7% (top 23%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-434
Published	2022-10-11
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: democritus

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2022-10-11 22:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 05:04 UTCUpdated Record last modified

democritus d8s-lists 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 d8s-lists

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

pip index versions d8s-lists pip install "d8s-lists<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-2022-42039?

d8s-lists: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2022-42039 being exploited?

CVE-2022-42039 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-2022-42039 affect?

CVE-2022-42039 affects d8s-lists. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). The d8s-lists package for Python, as distributed on PyPI, included a potential code-execution backdoor inserted by a third party. The backdoor is the democritus-dicts package. The affected version is 0.1.0.

How urgent is CVE-2022-42039?

Priority 63/100. Critical severity; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Software pages

Python vulnerabilities · PyPI packages vulnerabilities

References

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