CVE-2025-71368: picklescan - Arbitrary Code Execution via Undetected doctest.debug_script

Severity: high (CVSS 8.1 v3.1)
Exploited in the wild: not listed in CISA KEV
EPSS: 0.8% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days
Public exploit or detection template: none known
Published: 2026-06-30 · updated 2026-10-12
Weakness: CWE-502

Description

picklescan before 0.0.30 fails to detect the doctest.debug_script function when analyzing pickle files, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code. Remote attackers can craft malicious pickle files embedding doctest.debug_script calls that bypass picklescan detection and execute arbitrary commands upon pickle.load invocation.

Affected products

picklescan: before 0.0.30 — fixed in 0.0.30

How to fix

Upgrade to a fixed version: picklescan 0.0.30. Check the vendor advisory for mitigations.

References

https://github.com/mmaitre314/picklescan/security/advisories/GHSA-fqq6-7vqf-w3fg
https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/picklescan-arbitrary-code-execution-via-undetected-doctest-debug-script
https://github.com/mmaitre314/picklescan/security/advisories/GHSA-fqq6-7vqf-w3fg

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