PyTorch: `torch.load` with `weights_only=True` leads to remote code execution
Description
I found a Remote Command Execution (RCE) vulnerability in PyTorch. When loading model using torch.load with weights_only=True, it can still achieve RCE.
Background knowledge
https://github.com/pytorch/pytorch/security
As you can see, the PyTorch official documentation considers using torch.load() with weights_only=True to be safe.
Since everyone knows that weights_only=False is unsafe, so they will use the weights_only=True to mitigate the seucirty issue.
But now, I just proved that even if you use weights_only=True, it can still achieve RCE.
Credit
This vulnerability was found by Ji'an Zhou.
Affected software
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| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Python (PyPI) | torch | < 2.6.0 | 2.6.0 |
References
- https://github.com/pytorch/pytorch/security/advisories/GHSA-53q9-r3pm-6pq6
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-32434
- https://github.com/pytorch/pytorch/commit/8d4b8a920a2172523deb95bf20e8e52d50649c04
- https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/torch/PYSEC-2025-41.yaml
- https://github.com/pytorch/pytorch
- CVSS vector
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-502- Platform
- Python (PyPI)
- Package
torch- Disclosed
- 18.04.2025
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 14:19
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - PYSEC-2025-41 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-53q9-r3pm-6pq6 - CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: torch
All published vulnerabilities of this package (Python (PyPI)), newest first. Shows whether this is a one-off slip or a package that needs watching.
- Total entries
- 31
- First → latest
- 11.2022 03.2026
- Without a fix
- 9
- Exploited in attacks
- 0
Severity breakdown
- Critical 3
- High 10
- Medium 11
- Low 5
- Unrated 2
Disclosures per year
- 2022: 1
- 2023: 0
- 2024: 4
- 2025: 24
- 2026: 2
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PyTorch: `torch.load` with `weights_only=True` leads to remote code execution this entry
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