picklescan: Protection Mechanism Failure
CVE-2025-71352 is a high-severity protection mechanism failure vulnerability in picklescan, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.1 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, but only if a user takes part, for example by opening a link or file. The record lists version 0.0.29 as the first without the flaw, so updating picklescan to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.72% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 54% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update picklescan to 0.0.29 or a later version.
- Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
- Because the attack needs a user to take part, warn users about unexpected links and files related to this product until it is patched.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Picklescan | picklescan | before 0.0.29 | 0.0.29 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- RequiredA user must take an action such as opening a file or link.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- NoneAvailability is not affected.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N. Scored by CNA (vulncheck.com).
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 7.6 | High | CNA (vulncheck.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.1 | High | CNA (vulncheck.com) |
Official description
picklescan before 0.0.29 fails to detect the built-in Python trace.Trace.runctx function when used in pickle file reduce methods, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code. Remote attackers can craft malicious pickle files with trace.Trace.runctx payloads that bypass picklescan detection and execute code upon pickle.load() invocation.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Protection Mechanism Failure
The product does not use or incorrectly uses a protection mechanism that provides sufficient defense against directed attacks against the product.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in picklescan
- 8.1 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
Recent Protection Mechanism Failure vulnerabilities
- 9.6 Critical severity
- 9.6 Critical severity
- 9.6 Critical severity
- 8.3 High severity
- 9.6 Critical severity
- 9.6 Critical severity
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