How severe is CVE-2015-8557?

CVE-2015-8557 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.0, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with high attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2015-8557 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 7% (93rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2015-8557?

CVE-2015-8557 primarily affects Pygments. In total, 14 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2015-8557?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2015-8557 published?

CVE-2015-8557 was published on 2016-01-08 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2015-8557

CVE-2015-8557 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Pygments with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.0. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-78.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.0)
CVSS v2: 9.3
EPSS exploit prediction: 7% (93rd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-78
Affected product: Pygments
Published: 2016-01-08
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

The FontManager._get_nix_font_path function in formatters/img.py in Pygments 1.2.2 through 2.0.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in a font name.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2015-8557?: The FontManager._get_nix_font_path function in formatters/img.py in Pygments 1.2.2 through 2.0.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in a font name.
How severe is CVE-2015-8557?: CVE-2015-8557 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.0, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with high attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2015-8557 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 7% (93rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2015-8557?: CVE-2015-8557 primarily affects Pygments. In total, 14 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2015-8557?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2015-8557 published?: CVE-2015-8557 was published on 2016-01-08 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (14)

cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:12.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:14.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:15.04:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:15.10:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pygments:pygments:1.2.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pygments:pygments:1.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pygments:pygments:1.3.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pygments:pygments:1.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pygments:pygments:1.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pygments:pygments:1.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pygments:pygments:1.6:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pygments:pygments:2.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pygments:pygments:2.0:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pygments:pygments:2.0.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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