Vulnerability-Lookup

CVE-2026-120859 (GCVE-0-2026-120859)

Vulnerability from cvelistv5 – Published: 2026-11-05 17:14 – Updated: 2026-11-09 22:24

Title

PyMoDAQ before 5.3.10 Arbitrary Code Execution via Crafted HDF5, Dock Layout, and XML Settings Files

Summary

PyMoDAQ before 4.4.13, and pymodaq_data, pymodaq_gui, and pymodaq_utils before 5.1.15, 5.2.x before 5.2.14, and 5.3.x before 5.3.10, contain deserialization of untrusted data and eval injection vulnerabilities that allow attackers to execute arbitrary code by supplying crafted files that a user opens. Attackers can store pickled objects in HDF5 string nodes that StringARRAY.array_to_string() passes to pickle.loads() when the node is browsed or read, place Python expressions in HDF5 attributes that JsonConverter.json2object() evaluates, supply a .dock file that load_layout_state() unpickles from the Dashboard Load layout action, or embed Python expressions in XML settings files that elt_to_dict() and set_txt_from_elt() evaluate.

Severity

8.5 (High)


                        
                          CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N

7.8 (High)


                        
                          CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

SSVC

Exploitation: poc Automatable: no Technical Impact: total

CISA Coordinator · CISA-ADP (v2.0.3)

Decision recorded 2026-11-09 22:23 UTC

CWE

CWE-502 - Deserialization of Untrusted Data
CWE-95 - Improper Neutralization of Directives in Dynamically Evaluated Code ('Eval Injection')

Assigner

VulnCheck CNA

References

11 references

URL	Tags
https://github.com/PyMoDAQ/PyMoDAQ/security/advis…	vendor-advisory
https://github.com/PyMoDAQ/PyMoDAQ/commit/6c7fff7…	patch
https://github.com/PyMoDAQ/PyMoDAQ/commit/3bf9042…	patch
https://github.com/PyMoDAQ/PyMoDAQ/commit/ae00425…	patch
https://github.com/PyMoDAQ/PyMoDAQ/commit/041e8a2…	patch
https://github.com/PyMoDAQ/PyMoDAQ/releases/tag/5.3.10	release-notes
https://github.com/PyMoDAQ/PyMoDAQ/releases/tag/5.2.14	release-notes
https://github.com/PyMoDAQ/PyMoDAQ/releases/tag/5.1.15	release-notes
https://github.com/PyMoDAQ/PyMoDAQ/releases/tag/4.4.13	release-notes
https://github.com/PyMoDAQ/PyMoDAQ/blob/5.3.9/pac…	technical-description
https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/pymodaq-befo…	third-party-advisory

Impacted products

4 products

Vendor	Product	Version
PyMoDAQ	PyMoDAQ	Affected: 0 , < 4.4.13 (semver)
PyMoDAQ	pymodaq_data	Affected: 0 , < 5.1.15 (semver) Affected: 5.2.0 , < 5.2.14 (semver) Affected: 5.3.0 , < 5.3.10 (semver)
PyMoDAQ	pymodaq_gui	Affected: 0 , < 5.1.15 (semver) Affected: 5.2.0 , < 5.2.14 (semver) Affected: 5.3.0 , < 5.3.10 (semver)
PyMoDAQ	pymodaq_utils	Affected: 0 , < 5.1.15 (semver) Affected: 5.2.0 , < 5.2.14 (semver) Affected: 5.3.0 , < 5.3.10 (semver)

Date Public

2026-11-04 14:53

Credits

Dilanka Kaushal Hewage (r3vpwnx)

Show details on NVD website

JSON

To clipboard

{
  "containers": {
    "adp": [
      {
        "metrics": [
          {
            "other": {
              "content": {
                "id": "CVE-2026-120859",
                "options": [
                  {
                    "Exploitation": "poc"
                  },
                  {
                    "Automatable": "no"
                  },
                  {
                    "Technical Impact": "total"
                  }
                ],
                "role": "CISA Coordinator",
                "timestamp": "2026-11-09T22:23:03.047870Z",
                "version": "2.0.3"
              },
              "type": "ssvc"
            }
          }
        ],
        "providerMetadata": {
          "dateUpdated": "2026-11-09T22:24:15.829Z",
          "orgId": "134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0",
          "shortName": "CISA-ADP"
        },
        "references": [
          {
            "tags": [
              "exploit"
            ],
            "url": "https://github.com/PyMoDAQ/PyMoDAQ/security/advisories/GHSA-jw9g-5c9x-cf84"
          }
        ],
        "title": "CISA ADP Vulnrichment"
      }
    ],
    "cna": {
      "affected": [
        {
          "defaultStatus": "unaffected",
          "packageURL": "pkg:pypi/pymodaq",
          "product": "PyMoDAQ",
          "repo": "https://github.com/PyMoDAQ/PyMoDAQ",
          "vendor": "PyMoDAQ",
          "versions": [
            {
              "lessThan": "4.4.13",
              "status": "affected",
              "version": "0",
              "versionType": "semver"
            }
          ]
        },
        {
          "defaultStatus": "unaffected",
          "packageURL": "pkg:pypi/pymodaq-data",
          "product": "pymodaq_data",
          "repo": "https://github.com/PyMoDAQ/PyMoDAQ",
          "vendor": "PyMoDAQ",
          "versions": [
            {
              "lessThan": "5.1.15",
              "status": "affected",
              "version": "0",
              "versionType": "semver"
            },
            {
              "lessThan": "5.2.14",
              "status": "affected",
              "version": "5.2.0",
              "versionType": "semver"
            },
            {
              "lessThan": "5.3.10",
              "status": "affected",
              "version": "5.3.0",
              "versionType": "semver"
            }
          ]
        },
        {
          "defaultStatus": "unaffected",
          "packageURL": "pkg:pypi/pymodaq-gui",
          "product": "pymodaq_gui",
          "repo": "https://github.com/PyMoDAQ/PyMoDAQ",
          "vendor": "PyMoDAQ",
          "versions": [
            {
              "lessThan": "5.1.15",
              "status": "affected",
              "version": "0",
              "versionType": "semver"
            },
            {
              "lessThan": "5.2.14",
              "status": "affected",
              "version": "5.2.0",
              "versionType": "semver"
            },
            {
              "lessThan": "5.3.10",
              "status": "affected",
              "version": "5.3.0",
              "versionType": "semver"
            }
          ]
        },
        {
          "defaultStatus": "unaffected",
          "packageURL": "pkg:pypi/pymodaq-utils",
          "product": "pymodaq_utils",
          "repo": "https://github.com/PyMoDAQ/PyMoDAQ",
          "vendor": "PyMoDAQ",
          "versions": [
            {
              "lessThan": "5.1.15",
              "status": "affected",
              "version": "0",
              "versionType": "semver"
            },
            {
              "lessThan": "5.2.14",
              "status": "affected",
              "version": "5.2.0",
              "versionType": "semver"
            },
            {
              "lessThan": "5.3.10",
              "status": "affected",
              "version": "5.3.0",
              "versionType": "semver"
            }
          ]
        }
      ],
      "credits": [
        {
          "lang": "en",
          "type": "finder",
          "value": "Dilanka Kaushal Hewage (r3vpwnx)"
        }
      ],
      "datePublic": "2026-11-04T14:53:53.000Z",
      "descriptions": [
        {
          "lang": "en",
          "value": "PyMoDAQ before 4.4.13, and pymodaq_data, pymodaq_gui, and pymodaq_utils before 5.1.15, 5.2.x before 5.2.14, and 5.3.x before 5.3.10, contain deserialization of untrusted data and eval injection vulnerabilities that allow attackers to execute arbitrary code by supplying crafted files that a user opens. Attackers can store pickled objects in HDF5 string nodes that StringARRAY.array_to_string() passes to pickle.loads() when the node is browsed or read, place Python expressions in HDF5 attributes that JsonConverter.json2object() evaluates, supply a .dock file that load_layout_state() unpickles from the Dashboard Load layout action, or embed Python expressions in XML settings files that elt_to_dict() and set_txt_from_elt() evaluate."
        }
      ],
      "metrics": [
        {
          "cvssV4_0": {
            "attackComplexity": "LOW",
            "attackRequirements": "NONE",
            "attackVector": "LOCAL",
            "baseScore": 8.5,
            "baseSeverity": "HIGH",
            "privilegesRequired": "NONE",
            "subAvailabilityImpact": "NONE",
            "subConfidentialityImpact": "NONE",
            "subIntegrityImpact": "NONE",
            "userInteraction": "PASSIVE",
            "vectorString": "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N",
            "version": "4.0",
            "vulnAvailabilityImpact": "HIGH",
            "vulnConfidentialityImpact": "HIGH",
            "vulnIntegrityImpact": "HIGH"
          },
          "format": "CVSS"
        },
        {
          "cvssV3_1": {
            "attackComplexity": "LOW",
            "attackVector": "LOCAL",
            "availabilityImpact": "HIGH",
            "baseScore": 7.8,
            "baseSeverity": "HIGH",
            "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH",
            "integrityImpact": "HIGH",
            "privilegesRequired": "NONE",
            "scope": "UNCHANGED",
            "userInteraction": "REQUIRED",
            "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
            "version": "3.1"
          },
          "format": "CVSS"
        }
      ],
      "problemTypes": [
        {
          "descriptions": [
            {
              "cweId": "CWE-502",
              "description": "Deserialization of Untrusted Data",
              "lang": "en",
              "type": "CWE"
            }
          ]
        },
        {
          "descriptions": [
            {
              "cweId": "CWE-95",
              "description": "Improper Neutralization of Directives in Dynamically Evaluated Code (\u0027Eval Injection\u0027)",
              "lang": "en",
              "type": "CWE"
            }
          ]
        }
      ],
      "providerMetadata": {
        "dateUpdated": "2026-11-05T17:14:58.101Z",
        "orgId": "83251b91-4cc7-4094-a5c7-464a1b83ea10",
        "shortName": "VulnCheck"
      },
      "references": [
        {
          "name": "GitHub Security Advisory (GHSA-jw9g-5c9x-cf84)",
          "tags": [
            "vendor-advisory"
          ],
          "url": "https://github.com/PyMoDAQ/PyMoDAQ/security/advisories/GHSA-jw9g-5c9x-cf84"
        },
        {
          "tags": [
            "patch"
          ],
          "url": "https://github.com/PyMoDAQ/PyMoDAQ/commit/6c7fff74d82624c640bd79513f5b4675ea6d88da"
        },
        {
          "tags": [
            "patch"
          ],
          "url": "https://github.com/PyMoDAQ/PyMoDAQ/commit/3bf9042a58f5d4870a2b45fe2c9423aafe6b9203"
        },
        {
          "tags": [
            "patch"
          ],
          "url": "https://github.com/PyMoDAQ/PyMoDAQ/commit/ae0042513eb979c84da690825902658c625718d1"
        },
        {
          "tags": [
            "patch"
          ],
          "url": "https://github.com/PyMoDAQ/PyMoDAQ/commit/041e8a22b3dbe3c986ec0ea3c6b46a22f5efe374"
        },
        {
          "name": "PyMoDAQ 5.3.10 Release Notes",
          "tags": [
            "release-notes"
          ],
          "url": "https://github.com/PyMoDAQ/PyMoDAQ/releases/tag/5.3.10"
        },
        {
          "name": "PyMoDAQ 5.2.14 Release Notes",
          "tags": [
            "release-notes"
          ],
          "url": "https://github.com/PyMoDAQ/PyMoDAQ/releases/tag/5.2.14"
        },
        {
          "name": "PyMoDAQ 5.1.15 Release Notes",
          "tags": [
            "release-notes"
          ],
          "url": "https://github.com/PyMoDAQ/PyMoDAQ/releases/tag/5.1.15"
        },
        {
          "name": "PyMoDAQ 4.4.13 Release Notes",
          "tags": [
            "release-notes"
          ],
          "url": "https://github.com/PyMoDAQ/PyMoDAQ/releases/tag/4.4.13"
        },
        {
          "tags": [
            "technical-description"
          ],
          "url": "https://github.com/PyMoDAQ/PyMoDAQ/blob/5.3.9/packages/pymodaq_data/src/pymodaq_data/h5modules/backends.py#L477-L478"
        },
        {
          "name": "VulnCheck Advisory: PyMoDAQ before 5.3.10 Arbitrary Code Execution via Crafted HDF5, Dock Layout, and XML Settings Files",
          "tags": [
            "third-party-advisory"
          ],
          "url": "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/pymodaq-before-5.3.10-arbitrary-code-execution-via-crafted-hdf5-dock-layout-and-xml-settings-files"
        }
      ],
      "title": "PyMoDAQ before 5.3.10 Arbitrary Code Execution via Crafted HDF5, Dock Layout, and XML Settings Files",
      "x_generator": {
        "engine": "vulncheck-endgame"
      }
    }
  },
  "cveMetadata": {
    "assignerOrgId": "83251b91-4cc7-4094-a5c7-464a1b83ea10",
    "assignerShortName": "VulnCheck",
    "cveId": "CVE-2026-120859",
    "datePublished": "2026-11-05T17:14:58.101Z",
    "dateReserved": "2026-11-03T00:37:48.051Z",
    "dateUpdated": "2026-11-09T22:24:15.829Z",
    "state": "PUBLISHED"
  },
  "dataType": "CVE_RECORD",
  "dataVersion": "5.2"
}

Sightings

Author	Source	Type	Date	Other

Nomenclature

Seen: The vulnerability was mentioned, discussed, or observed by the user.
Confirmed: The vulnerability has been validated from an analyst's perspective.
Published Proof of Concept: A public proof of concept is available for this vulnerability.
Exploited: The vulnerability was observed as exploited by the user who reported the sighting.
Patched: The vulnerability was observed as successfully patched by the user who reported the sighting.
Not exploited: The vulnerability was not observed as exploited by the user who reported the sighting.
Not confirmed: The user expressed doubt about the validity of the vulnerability.
Not patched: The vulnerability was not observed as successfully patched by the user who reported the sighting.

Vulnerability timeline

Sightings and recorded dates, grouped by day · UTC

Order JSON

Publication & reservation Sightings KEV catalogs Other timestamps

Loading timeline…

The MITRE ATT&CK techniques below are AI-generated suggestions, inferred from the description of the vulnerability by the CIRCL/vulnerability-attack-technique-classification-roberta-base model, served locally by ML-Gateway. They have not been verified by an analyst and are provided for guidance only.
The approach is described in our paper Mapping CVEs to MITRE ATT&CK Techniques: A Curated Gold-Set Classifier and the Limits of LLM-Assisted Label Expansion.
Browse all ATT&CK techniques and the vulnerabilities related to each.

Related by attack behaviour

Vulnerabilities whose description is nearest to this one in the vector space of the CIRCL/vulnerability-attack-technique-biencoder model. This is a similarity search over the bi-encoder space (plain cosine), not a classification, and it has no measured accuracy.

Action not permitted

CVE-2026-120859 (GCVE-0-2026-120859)

Tags

Sightings

Nomenclature

Vulnerability timeline

Related by attack behaviour