CVE-2022-41385 in d8s-html
Summary
by MITRE • 10/12/2022
The d8s-html package for Python, as distributed on PyPI, included a potential code-execution backdoor inserted by a third party. The backdoor is the democritus-urls package. The affected version is 0.1.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/20/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-41385 represents a sophisticated supply chain attack targeting the Python package ecosystem through the d8s-html package distribution on PyPI. This incident demonstrates how attackers can compromise software repositories by injecting malicious code into legitimate packages that developers unknowingly install as dependencies. The backdoor mechanism operates through the democritus-urls package, which was embedded within the malicious distribution of d8s-html version 0.1.0, creating a covert channel for unauthorized code execution on affected systems.
The technical flaw in this vulnerability stems from the trust model inherent in Python's package management system where developers install dependencies without thorough verification of the complete dependency chain. The democritus-urls package functions as a malicious payload that executes arbitrary code when the compromised d8s-html package is imported or used in Python applications. This backdoor operates by leveraging legitimate Python package installation mechanisms while maintaining a low profile to avoid detection by standard security scanning tools. The vulnerability specifically affects the package's dependency resolution process where the malicious package is automatically downloaded and executed without explicit user consent.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with persistent access to compromised systems and the ability to escalate privileges through the established backdoor. Organizations that have installed vulnerable versions of d8s-html are at risk of data exfiltration, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The attack vector demonstrates how attackers can leverage the trust relationships within software ecosystems to bypass traditional security controls, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where software dependencies are frequently updated and deployed across multiple systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action including removal of the affected package versions from all systems, implementation of package integrity verification mechanisms, and adoption of software supply chain security practices. Organizations should implement package signature verification, maintain updated dependency inventories, and consider using private package repositories with strict access controls. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1583.001 for supply chain compromise and CWE-494 for code injection through trusted channels, emphasizing the need for comprehensive software supply chain security measures. Security teams must also establish monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized package installations and implement automated scanning of package repositories to identify similar malicious distributions before they can cause harm.