Code-execution screening bypass via unblocked pip.main
Published Feb 26, 2025 · Updated Dec 29, 2025
Static-analysis bypass in picklescan 0.0.21 and earlier allows attackers to conceal code-executing pip.main calls in Pickle files. The scanner's unsafe-global deny list omits the pip module, so a crafted reduce entry naming pip.main is classified as safe instead of dangerous. Exploitation requires a recipient or automated pipeline to deserialize the passed model; pip.main then installs an attacker-controlled package whose installation code executes.
Summary
What happened
Static-analysis bypass in picklescan 0.0.21 and earlier allows attackers to conceal code-executing pip.main calls in Pickle files. The scanner's unsafe-global deny list omits the pip module, so a crafted reduce entry naming pip.main is classified as safe instead of dangerous. Exploitation requires a recipient or automated pipeline to deserialize the passed model; pip.main then installs an attacker-controlled package whose installation code executes.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2025-1716
- Published
- Feb 26, 2025
- Updated
- Dec 29, 2025
- Vendor
- Matthieu Maitre
- Product
- picklescan
- Classifications
- CWE-184, T1204.002
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Feb 26, 2025CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Dec 29, 2025Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=0.0.1 <=0.0.20
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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.
Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
- GHSA-655q-fx9r-782v pip.main Pickle proof of conceptproof of concept · demonstrated
Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.
Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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