CVE-2026-22607·Python vulnerability
Fickling is a Python pickling decompiler and static analyzer. Fickling versions up to and including 0.1.6 do not treat Python's cProfile module as unsafe. Because of this, a malicious pickle that uses cProfile.run() is classified as SUSPICIOUS instead of OVERTLY_MALICIOUS. If a user relies on Fickling's output to decide whether a pickle is safe to deserialize, this misclassification can lead them to execute attacker-controlled code on their system. This affects any workflow or product that uses Fickling as a security gate for pickle deserialization. This issue has been patched in version 0.1.7.
- Severity
- high
- Software
- Python
- Fixed in
- 0.1.7
- Published
How likely is exploitation
FIRST's Exploit Prediction Scoring System puts the probability of this CVE being exploited in the next 30 days at 0.44% — higher than 35% of all published CVEs. EPSS is an independent forecast of exploitation, not a severity rating: it says nothing about how much damage a successful attack does, which is what a CVSS score measures.
Read the two together. CVE-2026-22607 scores 7.8 on CVSS, so a successful attack would be serious — but at 0.44%, almost nobody is currently attempting it. That is a different situation from a flaw under mass exploitation, and it is usually the difference between patching on your next maintenance window and patching tonight.
Affected versions
Until: 0.1.7
Fixed in: 0.1.7
How to fix this CVE
Update the Fickling Python package to version 0.1.7 or later to resolve the security classification bypass. The vulnerability allows malicious pickle files using cProfile.run() to evade detection as dangerous code, potentially leading to unauthorized code execution if security checks are bypassed. Ensure your Python environment and any tools relying on Fickling for pickle validation are patched immediately.
sudo dnf update python3-ficklingDefensia detects this vulnerability
How to check if you are affected
- Run 'pip show fickling' or 'python3 -c "import fickling; print(fickling.__version__)"' to identify the installed Fickling version
- Check if Fickling is used in your codebase by searching for 'import fickling' or 'from fickling' in Python source files
- Review pickle deserialization workflows in your application to determine if Fickling is used as a security gate before unpickling untrusted data
- After patching, re-run 'pip show fickling' to confirm version 0.1.7 or later is installed, then test with a known malicious pickle using cProfile to verify detection
FAQ
What is CVE-2026-22607?
CVE-2026-22607 is a security bypass vulnerability in Fickling (a Python pickle security analyzer) where malicious pickles invoking cProfile.run() are incorrectly classified as SUSPICIOUS instead of OVERTLY_MALICIOUS, allowing attackers to bypass safety checks and execute arbitrary code.
Is CVE-2026-22607 being actively exploited?
No, CVE-2026-22607 is not currently listed as actively exploited in the CISA KEV catalog, and no public exploit code is available. However, the vulnerability poses a high risk to systems relying on Fickling for security decisions.
What versions of Fickling are affected by CVE-2026-22607?
All versions of Fickling up to and including 0.1.6 are vulnerable. Version 0.1.7 and later contain the fix.
How do I check if my server is vulnerable to CVE-2026-22607?
Run 'pip show fickling' and check the version field. If it shows version 0.1.6 or earlier, your system is vulnerable. You can also run 'python3 -c "import fickling; print(fickling.__version__)"' to verify.
Does Defensia detect CVE-2026-22607?
Yes — Defensia's CVE advisory scanner compares installed package versions against the NVD database. If Fickling is installed on a monitored server, CVE-2026-22607 will appear in your dashboard with remediation steps.
Related Python CVEs
References
- https://github.com/trailofbits/fickling/commit/dc8ae12966edee27a78fe05c5745171a2b138d43
- https://github.com/trailofbits/fickling/releases/tag/v0.1.7
- https://github.com/trailofbits/fickling/security/advisories/GHSA-p523-jq9w-64x9
- https://github.com/trailofbits/fickling/security/advisories/GHSA-p523-jq9w-64x9
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