CVE-2026-8398: Daemon Tools Lite Embedded Malicious Code Vulnerability

Patch now

CRITICAL 9.8EXPLOITEDREMOTEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2026-8398 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting daemon tools, reported as exploited in the wild. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

A supply chain attack compromised the official installation packages of DAEMON Tools Lite (Windows versions 12.5.0.2421 through 12.5.0.2434), distributed from the legitimate website daemon-tools.cc between approximately April 8, 2026, and May 5, 2026. Attackers gained unauthorized access to the vendor's (AVB Disc Soft) build or distribution infrastructure and trojanized three binaries: DTHelper.exe, DiscSoftBusServiceLite.exe, and DTShellHlp.exe.

Why this priority

Critical severity
Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV)
Public exploit reference
CISA SSVC: automatable with total technical impact
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	1.5% (top 27%)
CISA exploited list	Yes, fix due 2026-05-30
Weakness	CWE-506
Published	2026-05-15
Last modified	2026-10-26

Publisher (CNA): Kaspersky Labs · Vendor: disc-soft

Last updated 2026-10-26 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-05-15 09:16 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-05-27Exploited Added to the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list
2026-05-30Deadline CISA due date for US federal agencies to patch
2026-10-26 14:10 UTCUpdated Record last modified

disc-soft daemon tools DOWNGRADE

Affected: 12.5.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 12.5.1

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy daemon-tools || rpm -q daemon-tools || daemon-tools --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 12.5.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison daemon-tools sudo apt install daemon-tools=<VERSION_BEFORE_12.5.1> sudo apt-mark hold daemon-tools

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list daemon-tools sudo dnf downgrade daemon-tools-<VERSION_BEFORE_12.5.1> sudo dnf versionlock add daemon-tools

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 · CISA KEV catalog · 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-2026-8398?

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

Is CVE-2026-8398 being exploited?

Yes. CVE-2026-8398 is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list, so treat it as patch-now.

What does CVE-2026-8398 affect?

CVE-2026-8398 affects daemon tools. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). A supply chain attack compromised the official installation packages of DAEMON Tools Lite (Windows versions 12.5.0.2421 through 12.5.0.2434), distributed from the legitimate website daemon-tools.cc between approximately April 8, 2026, and M

How urgent is CVE-2026-8398?

Priority 91/100. Critical severity; Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV); Public exploit reference; CISA SSVC: automatable with total technical impact; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Software pages

Windows vulnerabilities

References

← Back to latest CVEs