Critical severity · published Jan 20, 2026
CVE-2025-56005
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
9.8
CVSS
18.8%
EPSS
No
On KEV
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.
CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Attack vector
Network
Complexity
Low
Privileges
None
User interaction
None
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High
Scope
Unchanged
Exploitation
Is it being used?
Exploit prediction (EPSS)18.8% · higher than 97% of CVEs
Exploited in the wildNo evidence yet
CISA KEVNot listed
Ransomware campaign useNot known
Affected products
Which versions
PL
Ply · Dabeaz
3.11 · source: NVD
MT
Migration Toolkit for Containers · Red Hat
All versions, or not specified · source: CISA
MT
Migration Toolkit for Virtualization · Red Hat
All versions, or not specified · source: CISA
OD
OpenShift Developer Tools and Services · Red Hat
All versions, or not specified · source: CISA
OP
OpenShift Pipelines · Red Hat
All versions, or not specified · source: CISA
RH
Red Hat Advanced Cluster Security 4 · Red Hat
All versions, or not specified · source: CISA
RH
Red Hat Ceph Storage 7 · Red Hat
All versions, or not specified · source: CISA
RH
Red Hat Ceph Storage 8 · Red Hat
All versions, or not specified · source: CISA
RH
Red Hat Certification Program for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 · Red Hat
All versions, or not specified · source: CISA
RH
Red Hat Directory Server 13 · Red Hat
All versions, or not specified · source: CISA
RH
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 · Red Hat
All versions, or not specified · source: CISA
RH
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 · Red Hat
All versions, or not specified · source: CISA
References
NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-56005
CVE.org
https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2025-56005
Exploit
https://github.com/bohmiiidd/Undocumented-RCE-in-PLY
Exploit
https://github.com/bohmiiidd/Undocumument_RCE_PLY-yacc-CVE-2025-56005
Exploit
https://github.com/tom025/ply_exploit_rejection
github.com
https://github.com/tom025/ply_exploit_rejection/issues/1
Exploit
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/01/23/4
Mailing List
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/01/23/5
