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.
References
| Link | Resource |
|---|---|
| https://github.com/bohmiiidd/Undocumented-RCE-in-PLY | Exploit Third Party Advisory |
| https://github.com/bohmiiidd/Undocumument_RCE_PLY-yacc-CVE-2025-56005 | Exploit Third Party Advisory |
| https://github.com/tom025/ply_exploit_rejection | Exploit Mitigation Third Party Advisory |
| https://github.com/tom025/ply_exploit_rejection/issues/1 | |
| http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/01/23/4 | Exploit Mailing List |
| http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/01/23/5 | Mailing List |
| http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/01/28/5 | Exploit Mailing List |
| http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/01/29/1 | Exploit Mailing List |
| http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/01/29/2 | Mailing List |
| 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 |
Configurations
History
No history.
Information
Published : 2026-01-20 19:15
Updated : 2026-08-24 13:16
NVD link : CVE-2025-56005
Mitre link : CVE-2025-56005
CVE.ORG link : CVE-2025-56005
JSON object : View
Products Affected
dabeaz
- ply
CWE
CWE-502
Deserialization of Untrusted Data
