CVE-2025-56005
Patch early
EPSS 19.1% — above the 10% action threshold.
Description
An undocumented and unsafe feature in the PLY (Python Lex-Yacc) library 3.11 allows Remote Code Execution (RCE) via the `picklefile` parameter in the `yacc()` function. This parameter accepts a `.pkl` file that is deserialized with `pickle.load()` without validation. Because `pickle` allows execution of embedded code via `__reduce__()`, an attacker can achieve code execution by passing a malicious pickle file. The parameter is not mentioned in official documentation or the GitHub repository, yet it is active in the PyPI version. This introduces a stealthy backdoor and persistence risk. NOTE: A third-party states that this vulnerability should be rejected because the proof of concept does not demonstrate arbitrary code execution and fails to complete successfully.
Scoring
| CVSS | 9.8 (CRITICAL, v3.1) |
|---|---|
| Vector | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H |
| EPSS | 19.07% — more likely to be exploited than 97% of all CVEs |
| Weakness | CWE-502 |
| On CISA KEV | no |
| Public exploit | none known |
| Published | 2026-01-20 |
| Last modified | 2026-09-17 |
Affected (1)
| Vendor | Product |
|---|---|
| dabeaz | ply |
References
- https://github.com/bohmiiidd/Undocumented-RCE-in-PLY
- https://github.com/bohmiiidd/Undocumument_RCE_PLY-yacc-CVE-2025-56005
- https://github.com/tom025/ply_exploit_rejection
- https://github.com/tom025/ply_exploit_rejection/issues/1
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/01/23/4
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/01/23/5
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/01/28/5
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/01/29/1
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/01/29/2
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/01/30/1
- https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2025-56005
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2431308
- https://security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/vex/2025/cve-2025-56005.json
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