CVE-2022-21668

What it is

pipenv is a Python development workflow tool. Starting with version 2018.10.9 and prior to version 2022.1.8, a flaw in pipenv's parsing of requirements files allows an attacker to insert a specially crafted string inside a comment anywhere within a requirements.txt file, which will cause victims who use pipenv to install the requirements file to download dependencies from a package index server controlled by the attacker. By embedding malicious code in packages served from their malicious index server, the attacker can trigger arbitrary remote code execution (RCE) on the victims' systems. If an attacker is able to hide a malicious `--index-url` option in a requirements file that a victim installs with pipenv, the attacker can embed arbitrary malicious code in packages served from their malicious index server that will be executed on the victim's host during installation (remote code execution/RCE). When pip installs from a source distribution, any code in the setup.py is executed by the install process. This issue is patched in version 2022.1.8. The GitHub Security Advisory contains more information about this vulnerability.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited over the network with a low-privilege account, but needs a user to act. High risk of data exposure, data tampering, service disruption.

Exploit odds

3.9% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

1. 2022-01-10 21:15 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-06-17 04:26 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 3.9% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 8.0 HIGH (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published

2022-01-10 21:15 UTC

Last modified

2026-06-17 04:26 UTC

Exploit probability

3.9% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-20 · Improper input validation

Record status

Modified

Affected

• Pypa Pipenv < 2022.1.8
• Fedoraproject Fedora 34
• Fedoraproject Fedora 35
• Fedoraproject Fedora 36

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 8.0

Attack vector

Network

Complexity

High

Privileges needed

Low

User interaction

Required

Scope

Changed

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

High

Availability

High

Is it in your code?

Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.

Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2022-21668.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2022-21668. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

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