CVE-2023-23930: Pickle serialization vulnerable to Deserialization of Untrusted Data in vantage6
Summary
CVE-2023-23930: Pickle serialization vulnerable to Deserialization of Untrusted Data. Affects vantage6 versions < 4.0.2. Fixed in 4.0.2. How to fix ↓
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Background
vantage6 is a Python package available on PyPI that is used for distributed data analysis and machine learning. It provides a framework for executing algorithms on remote servers and aggregating the results. One of the key features of vantage6 is its default serialization module, which uses pickle. However, pickle has known security issues, as it is susceptible to deserialization of untrusted data. This vulnerability can lead to remote code execution and other malicious activities.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in vantage6 arises from the use of pickle as the default serialization module. Pickle is not secure for opening pickles created locally, and in vantage6, algorithms use pickles to send aggregated data and pack algorithm input or output. This means that all Python algorithms using the default serialization in vantage6 are vulnerable to this issue. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a specially crafted pickle file, leading to the execution of arbitrary code on the target system. The impact of this vulnerability is significant, as it affects all users of vantage6 who post tasks with algorithms using the default serialization.
How To Fix
Latest published version: 5.0.3 as of 22 Oct 2026
pip install --upgrade "vantage6==5.0.3"Upgrading to it may include breaking changes; the version below is the minimum fixed release for this vulnerability.
If you need the minimum change
4.0.2
This is the first release that contains the fix.
pip install --upgrade "vantage6==4.0.2"Tip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
A workaround for this vulnerability is to specify JSON serialization explicitly in the algorithms used with vantage6. Instead of relying on the default serialization, algorithms can be modified to use JSON serialization. Here is an example of how to specify JSON serialization in a vantage6 algorithm:
import json
# Serialize data using JSON
serialized_data = json.dumps(data)
# Deserialize data using JSON
deserialized_data = json.loads(serialized_data)
Conclusion
In conclusion, the use of pickle serialization in vantage6 exposes users to the risk of deserialization vulnerabilities. To address this issue, it is crucial to switch to JSON serialization and update the vantage6 package accordingly. By following the recommended steps to fix this vulnerability, users can ensure the security of their vantage6 deployments. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
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FAQ
vantage6 is a Python package used for distributed data analysis and machine learning. It allows users to execute algorithms on remote servers and aggregate the results.
Pickle serialization is a method of converting Python objects into a byte stream, which can be stored or transmitted. It is the default serialization module used in vantage6.
Pickle serialization is vulnerable because it can execute arbitrary code during deserialization. This means that if a malicious pickle file is loaded, it can lead to remote code execution and other security issues.
The impact of this vulnerability is significant, as it affects all users of vantage6 who post tasks with algorithms using the default serialization. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on the target system.
To mitigate this vulnerability, it is recommended to switch from pickle serialization to JSON serialization. JSON is a safer alternative for serializing data and does not have the same security issues as pickle.
References
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