CVE-2022-42919

What it is

Python 3.9.x before 3.9.16 and 3.10.x before 3.10.9 on Linux allows local privilege escalation in a non-default configuration. The Python multiprocessing library, when used with the forkserver start method on Linux, allows pickles to be deserialized from any user in the same machine local network namespace, which in many system configurations means any user on the same machine. Pickles can execute arbitrary code. Thus, this allows for local user privilege escalation to the user that any forkserver process is running as. Setting multiprocessing.util.abstract_sockets_supported to False is a workaround. The forkserver start method for multiprocessing is not the default start method. This issue is Linux specific because only Linux supports abstract namespace sockets. CPython before 3.9 does not make use of Linux abstract namespace sockets by default. Support for users manually specifying an abstract namespace socket was added as a bugfix in 3.7.8 and 3.8.3, but users would need to make specific uncommon API calls in order to do that in CPython before 3.9.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited locally on the machine with a low-privilege account. High risk of data exposure, data tampering, service disruption.

Exploit odds

0.8% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

No patch or advisory is linked yet. Look at mitigations or restrict exposure.

Timeline

1. 2022-10-14 00:00 UTC ReservedThe CVE id was reserved by its CNA
2. 2022-11-07 00:15 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
3. 2026-06-17 05:05 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 0.8% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 7.8 HIGH (CVSS).
• Fix: none linked yet, which raises it.

Details

Published

2022-11-07 00:15 UTC

Last modified

2026-06-17 05:05 UTC

Exploit probability

0.8% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-502 · Unsafe deserialization

Record status

Modified

Affected

• Python ≤ 3.7.15
• Python ≤ 3.8.15
• Python < 3.9.16
• Python < 3.10.9
• Fedoraproject Fedora 35
• Fedoraproject Fedora 36
• Fedoraproject Fedora 37

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 7.8

Attack vector

Local

Complexity

Low

Privileges needed

Low

User interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

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-2022-42919.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2022-42919. 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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