CVE-2025-33248

Code execution via unsafe hybrid checkpoint deserialization

Published Mar 24, 2026 · Updated Mar 24, 2026

Unsafe deserialization in NVIDIA Megatron-LM before 0.15.3 allows local users to execute code through a crafted hybrid checkpoint. The hybrid conversion script passes model_optim_rng.pt files to torch.load without restricting pickle globals, allowing embedded reducers to run. Execution requires an attacker-controlled checkpoint to be processed and inherits the converter user's privileges, enabling data access or modification under that account.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.21%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Unsafe deserialization in NVIDIA Megatron-LM before 0.15.3 allows local users to execute code through a crafted hybrid checkpoint. The hybrid conversion script passes model_optim_rng.pt files to torch.load without restricting pickle globals, allowing embedded reducers to run. Execution requires an attacker-controlled checkpoint to be processed and inherits the converter user's privileges, enabling data access or modification under that account.

The record

CVE
CVE-2025-33248
Published
Mar 24, 2026
Updated
Mar 24, 2026
Vendor
DPDK Project
Product
Megatron-LM
Classifications
CWE-502, T1204.002
Attack vector
local
Privileges
Unavailable

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Mar 24, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Mar 24, 2026Record 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.

  1. Affected versionversion=All versions prior to 0.15.3

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesUnavailable in this record.

What is affected?

DPDK Project · Megatron-LMversion=All versions prior to 0.15.3

Published CVSS scores

7.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.8NVIDIA CorporationCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A: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.

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No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
PrivilegesUnavailable
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-502Deserialization of Untrusted Data
T1204.002User Execution: Malicious File

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

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Your stack

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