CVE-2022-48565: An XML External Entity (XXE) issue was discovered in Python through 3.9.1

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CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEWATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2022-48565 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting python, debian linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

An XML External Entity (XXE) issue was discovered in Python through 3.9.1. The plistlib module no longer accepts entity declarations in XML plist files to avoid XML vulnerabilities.

Why this priority

Critical severity
EPSS top 8%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference
CISA SSVC: automatable with total technical impact
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	5.1% (top 8%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-611
Published	2023-08-22
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: debian · python

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2023-08-22 19:16 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 05:15 UTCUpdated Record last modified

python python UPGRADE

Affected: < 3.6.13 · >= 3.7.0 and < 3.7.10 · >= 3.8.0 and < 3.8.7 · >= 3.9.0 and < 3.9.1

Fixed in: 3.6.13, 3.7.10, 3.8.7, 3.9.1

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.7.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 3.6.13 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade python

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 3.7.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison python sudo apt install python=<VERSION_BEFORE_3.7.0> sudo apt-mark hold python

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

dnf --showduplicates list python sudo dnf downgrade python-<VERSION_BEFORE_3.7.0> sudo dnf versionlock add python

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.

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 10.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 10.0

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

Exact fixes by distribution

A distro patch exists: prefer upgrading over downgrading.

Fedora 46 · borgmatic · FIXED · 2.2.0-1.fc46 · FEDORA-2026-041229e71b · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-041229e71b

Fedora ELN · pie · FIXED · 1.5.4-1.eln159 · FEDORA-2026-a2c0261d3a · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-a2c0261d3a

Ubuntu 20.04 · python2.7 · FIXED · 2.7.18-1~20.04.7

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade python2.7 dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' python2.7)" ge "2.7.18-1~20.04.7" && echo PATCHED || echo STILL-VULNERABLE

Ubuntu 22.04 · python2.7 · FIXED · 2.7.18-13ubuntu1.5

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade python2.7 dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' python2.7)" ge "2.7.18-13ubuntu1.5" && echo PATCHED || echo STILL-VULNERABLE

Ubuntu 20.04 · python3.8 · NOT AFFECTED

Ubuntu 20.04 · python3.9 · FIXED · 3.9.5-3~20.04.1

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade python3.9 dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' python3.9)" ge "3.9.5-3~20.04.1" && echo PATCHED || echo STILL-VULNERABLE

Ubuntu 22.04 · python3.10 · NOT AFFECTED

Debian 12 · pypy3 · FIXED · 7.3.5+dfsg-2

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade pypy3 dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' pypy3)" ge "7.3.5+dfsg-2" && echo PATCHED || echo STILL-VULNERABLE

Debian 13 · pypy3 · FIXED · 7.3.5+dfsg-2

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade pypy3 dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' pypy3)" ge "7.3.5+dfsg-2" && echo PATCHED || echo STILL-VULNERABLE

RHEL 6 · python · DEFERRED

RHEL 7 · python · DEFERRED

RHEL 7 · python3 · DEFERRED

RHEL 8 · gimp:flatpak/python2 · NO FIX YET

RHEL 8 · inkscape:flatpak/python2 · DEFERRED

Amazon Linux 2 · see advisory · FIXED · ALAS2-2023-2330 · source

sudo yum update --advisory=ALAS2-2023-2330

Amazon Linux 1 · see advisory · FIXED · ALAS-2023-1880 · source

sudo yum update --advisory=ALAS-2023-1880

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

GitHub PoC: Einstein2150/CVE-2022-48565-POC (3 stars)

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-2022-48565?

python: upgrade to 3.6.13, 3.7.10, 3.8.7, 3.9.1; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2022-48565 being exploited?

CVE-2022-48565 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-2022-48565 affect?

CVE-2022-48565 affects python, debian linux. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). An XML External Entity (XXE) issue was discovered in Python through 3.9.1. The plistlib module no longer accepts entity declarations in XML plist files to avoid XML vulnerabilities.

How urgent is CVE-2022-48565?

Priority 75/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 8%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; CISA SSVC: automatable with total technical impact; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

Software pages

Python vulnerabilities · Debian vulnerabilities

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References

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