CVE-2022-21668Network attack vector

Code execution via comment-hidden package index

Published Jan 10, 2022 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Command injection in Python Packaging Authority Pipenv 2018.10.9 and later before 2022.1.8 allows attackers to execute code. The parse_indexes function in pipenv.utils passes comment text to argparse, which recognizes hidden index and trusted-host options instead of discarding them. Exploitation requires a victim to install an attacker-modified requirements file; code in a malicious source package then runs with the installer's privileges.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability3.90%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
Coverage for this vulnerability

See if you're affected

Explore vulnerability checks for your environment with Hinoki.

Book a demo

Summary

What happened

Command injection in Python Packaging Authority Pipenv 2018.10.9 and later before 2022.1.8 allows attackers to execute code. The parse_indexes function in pipenv.utils passes comment text to argparse, which recognizes hidden index and trusted-host options instead of discarding them. Exploitation requires a victim to install an attacker-modified requirements file; code in a malicious source package then runs with the installer's privileges.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-21668
Published
Jan 10, 2022
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
Python Packaging Authority
Product
Pipenv
Classifications
CWE-77, CWE-20, T1195.001
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jan 10, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 3, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

Compare your product and version with the public record. A matching version still requires validation against your environment.

Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=>= 2018.10.9, < 2022.1.8

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Python Packaging Authority · Pipenvversion=>= 2018.10.9, < 2022.1.8

Published CVSS scores

8.8GitHubCVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:A/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-77Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection')
CWE-20Improper Input Validation
T1195.001Compromise Software Dependencies and Development Tools

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

See the directory against your own environment.

Your stack

Check the software in your environment

Book a demo to see how Hinoki identifies affected software and validates exploitability in your environment.

Book a demo