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Response snapshot Oct 27, 2026, 16:31 UTC

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VulnerabilityCVE-2026-114608

Pylint: Arbitrary code execution via pickle deserialization of the stats cache in PYLINT_HOME

Since 2006 / pylint 0.15.2, pylint caches its stats as pickles in `PYLINT_HOME` and reload them on the next run with `pickle.load`.

At a glance

Exploited
Not known
Severity
5.4 Medium (CVSS 4.0)
Chance of exploitation
Not estimated
Sources
1 source

What to do

GitHub lists first patched versions: pylint: 4.0.9. Confirm the affected range and upgrade guidance in the exact advisory.

Read GitHub-reviewed advisory GHSA-22qq-2fwx-7p67 (opens a new tab)

What happened

### Impact

Since 2006 / pylint 0.15.2, pylint caches its stats as pickles in `PYLINT_HOME` and reload them on the next run with `pickle.load`. Someone without access to the configuration or linted code, but with access to the cache directory (predictable `PYLINT_HOME` on a multi-user host) can write a crafted pickle that will runs arbitrary code when pylint access its stat cache.

### Patches

From pylint 4.0.9, the result cache is now stored as JSON instead of pickle, preventing code-execution.

Continue reading

### Workarounds

Until upgrading do not point `PYLINT_HOME` to an untrusted, shared, or group-writable directory. The default value, `~/.cache/pylint`, is writable only by the user running pylint.

### Credits

- Reported privately via Tidelift coordinated disclosure (Dan Lenz).

Affected package ranges reported by GitHub: pylint: < 4.0.9

Scores and how they were measured

CVSS base severity

5.4

Version 4.0As of

CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:H/AT:P/PR:L/UI:P/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/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-22qq-2fwx-7p67 (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-22qq-2fwx-7p67, its actual identifiers, source dates, and structured metrics.

    Published Date not suppliedChecked

  3. Primary source

    GitHub public advisory API page (opens a new tab)

    The API page supplied GHSA-22qq-2fwx-7p67, 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, October 27). Pylint: Arbitrary code execution via pickle deserialization of the stats cache in PYLINT_HOME (CVE-2026-114608). https://kevwire.com/record/CVE-2026-114608

MLA

"Pylint: Arbitrary code execution via pickle deserialization of the stats cache in PYLINT_HOME (CVE-2026-114608)." KEVWire, 27 Oct. 2026, kevwire.com/record/CVE-2026-114608.

Chicago

KEVWire. "Pylint: Arbitrary code execution via pickle deserialization of the stats cache in PYLINT_HOME (CVE-2026-114608)." Last modified October 27, 2026. https://kevwire.com/record/CVE-2026-114608.

Evidence summary (plain text)

Pylint: Arbitrary code execution via pickle deserialization of the stats cache in PYLINT_HOME (Oct 27, 2026).
Since 2006 / pylint 0.15.2, pylint caches its stats as pickles in `PYLINT_HOME` and reload them on the next run with `pickle.load`. Someone without access to the configuration or linted code, but with access to the cache directory (predictable `PYLINT_HOME` on a multi-user host) can write a crafted pickle that will runs arbitrary code when pylint access its stat cache.

From pylint 4.0.9, the result cache is now stored as JSON instead of pickle, preventing code-execution.
CVSS 5.4 (version 4.0; evidence as of Oct 27, 2026; https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-22qq-2fwx-7p67).
Sources:
GitHub-reviewed advisory GHSA-22qq-2fwx-7p67: https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-22qq-2fwx-7p67
GitHub public advisory API page: https://api.github.com/advisories?type=reviewed&per_page=100&sort=updated&direction=desc&after=Y3Vyc29yOnYyOpK0MjAyNi0xMC0yN1QxNTowMzozMFrOAAV2xg%3D%3D
GitHub public advisory API page: https://api.github.com/advisories?type=reviewed&per_page=100&sort=updated&direction=desc
Record ID: CVE-2026-114608.
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: Oct 27, 2026, 16:25 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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