Vulnerability Description
The Keras Model.load_model method can be exploited to achieve arbitrary code execution, even with safe_mode=True. One can create a specially crafted .h5/.hdf5 model archive that, when loaded via Model.load_model, will trigger arbitrary code to be executed. This is achieved by crafting a special .h5 archive file that uses the Lambda layer feature of keras which allows arbitrary Python code in the form of pickled code. The vulnerability comes from the fact that the safe_mode=True option is not honored when reading .h5 archives. Note that the .h5/.hdf5 format is a legacy format supported by Keras 3 for backwards compatibility.
CVSS Score
HIGH
Affected Products
| Vendor | Product | Versions |
|---|---|---|
| Keras | Keras | >= 3.0.0, < 3.11.3 |
Related Weaknesses (CWE)
References
- https://github.com/keras-team/keras/pull/21602Issue TrackingPatch
- https://github.com/keras-team/keras/security/advisories/GHSA-36rr-ww3j-vrjvExploitVendor Advisory
FAQ
What is CVE-2025-9905?
CVE-2025-9905 is a vulnerability with a CVSS score of 7.3 (HIGH). The Keras Model.load_model method can be exploited to achieve arbitrary code execution, even with safe_mode=True. One can create a specially crafted .h5/.hdf5 model archive that, when loaded via Mode...
How severe is CVE-2025-9905?
CVE-2025-9905 has been rated HIGH with a CVSS base score of 7.3/10. Review the CVSS metrics above for detailed severity breakdown.
Is there a patch for CVE-2025-9905?
Check the references section above for vendor advisories and patch information. Affected products include: Keras Keras.