CVE-2025-9906: Keras arbitrary code execution via untrusted model deserialization

CVE-2025-9906 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.3 · Published 2025-09-19

Keras, a popular deep learning library, is vulnerable to a security flaw that allows for arbitrary code execution when loading a specially crafted model file. Even if 'safe mode' is enabled, a malicious model can bypass these protections and run unauthorized commands on the user's system. This could lead to a complete system compromise or data theft if a user is tricked into opening an untrusted model file.

Technologies: keras (PyPI). Vendors: PyPI.

Quick answers

Is CVE-2025-9906 exploited in the wild?
No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2025-9906 being exploited in the wild.
How severe is CVE-2025-9906?
High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.3, published 19 September 2025.
Which products and versions are affected?
keras (PyPI) < 3.11.0, ECOSYSTEM:introduced=0,fixed=3.11.0.
Is there a fix for CVE-2025-9906?
Yes. keras (PyPI): upgrade to 3.11.0 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.
How is CVE-2025-9906 attacked?
It is attacked over the network, in a software library.
Am I affected by CVE-2025-9906?
Check whether you run keras (PyPI) at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

How to fix

  • keras (PyPI): upgrade to 3.11.0 or later
    pip install "keras>=3.11.0"

Technical details

A deserialization vulnerability exists in Keras versions prior to 3.11.0 due to the order in which model archives are processed. The archive's 'config.json' is parsed before layer deserialization, allowing a crafted configuration to invoke 'keras.config.enable_unsafe_deserialization()', which disables safe mode. An attacker can then include a 'Lambda' layer with a pickled function that executes arbitrary Python code upon loading. This bypasses the 'safe_mode=True' setting. The vulnerability is addressed in version 3.11.0 by enforcing safe-mode semantics before reading user-controlled configurations.

Affected products

  • Keras Team Keras < 3.11.0

Identifiers

  • CVE-2025-9906
  • GHSA-36fq-jgmw-4r9c
  • PYSEC-2025-76

Timeline

  • 2025-09-19: disclosed: Vulnerability disclosed and CVE-2025-9906 assigned.
  • 2025-09-19: advisory: GitHub Advisory GHSA-36fq-jgmw-4r9c published.
  • 2025-09-19: patched: Fixed in Keras version 3.11.0.

References

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