CVE-2026-1839 — Arbitrary Code Execution via Unsafe torch.load() in Trainer Checkpoint Loading in huggingface/transformers
A vulnerability in the HuggingFace Transformers library, specifically in the `Trainer` class, allows for arbitrary code execution. The `_load_rng_state()` method in `src/transformers/trainer.py` at line 3059 calls `torch.load()` without the `weights_only=True` parameter. This issue affects all versions of the library supporting `torch>=2.2` when used with PyTorch versions below 2.6, as the `safe_globals()` context manager provides no protection in these versions. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by supplying a malicious checkpoint file, such as `rng_state.pth`, which can execute arbitrary code when loaded. The issue is resolved in version v5.0.0rc3.
Who exploits it and how urgent it is
A 0–100 score combining confirmed exploitation, ransomware and APT use, public exploits, EPSS and severity.
How the score was calculated
- EPSS 0.4% (30-day exploitation probability)+5
- Technical severity (high)+6
- CISA SSVC: exploitation "poc"+5
The score orders the patch queue; it does not replace your asset context (internet exposure, criticality, compensating controls).
Triage
Is it exploited, how likely is exploitation, what does it touch, and how severe do the sources call it.
CISA SSVC assessment CISA
Three decision points CISA publishes for the CVEs it assesses (SSVC 2.0.3). A stakeholder decision, not a severity score.
Remediation
Fixes and mitigations documented by the sources — linked to the original advisory.
- Documented patch — github.com (NIST National Vulnerability Database)
First 24 hours
Ordered from the record’s own fields — exposure first, because you cannot patch what you have not found. A rule-generated starting point.
- Identify exposed assets running the affected vendor/product/version combinations (Huggingface Transformers).
- Apply the fixed version or the patch documented under Remediation.
- Exploitation requires user interaction: tighten email/web filtering and warn affected users.
- Search available logs for exploit probes matching the vulnerability class (insecure deserialization), errors and authentication anomalies.
Affected scope
Vendor, product and versions as the sources word them.
| Vendor | Product | Versions | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huggingface | Transformers | < 5.0.0version 5.0.0-rc0version 5.0.0-rc1version 5.0.0-rc2 | Vulnerable | NIST National Vulnerability Database |
| Huggingface | Transformers | < v5.0.0rc3 | Vulnerable | CVE Program (cve.org) e CISA ADP |
Attack characteristics
The CVSS vector, decoded. It describes the attack, not your exposure to it.
Every base score collected
Sources score independently and may disagree; each row says who scored it and under which version.
| Score | Version | Severity | Expl. | Impact | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.8 | CVSS 3.1 | High | 1.8 | 5.9 | nvd@nist.gov via NIST National Vulnerability Database |
| 6.5 | CVSS 3.0 | Medium | 1.0 | 5.5 | security@huntr.dev via NIST National Vulnerability Database |
| 6.5 | CVSS 3.0 | Medium | — | — | @huntr_ai via CVE Program (cve.org) e CISA ADP |
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H (score shown at the top: nvd@nist.gov) Weakness MITRE
Weakness class according to MITRE’s CWE catalog.
EPSS over time FIRST
Oct 13, 2026 → Oct 14, 2026 · 2 reading(s) · max 0.38%
Detection
Read off the CVSS vector and the weakness class. Starting points, not tested rules.
- Local/physical vector: focus on endpoint telemetry (EDR) from affected hosts.
- Monitor serialized objects in requests and unexpected processes spawned by the runtime.
Timeline
What happened to this CVE, newest first.
- 2026
- Affected products added · huggingface/huggingface/transformers
- SSVC assessment updated
- Record published
- Fix documented
- CVSS changed · 7.8
- Source status changed · → Analyzed
- Record created in this database
- CVE published
Source activity
Repeated readings are counted rather than listed.
- 1× Official description updated · Oct 13, 2026 – Oct 13, 2026
References
2 on the record
Elsewhere on this site
Related CVEs (same products)
- High CVE-2026-80047 Hugging Face Transformers library writes remote code to disk prior to consent check Sep 1, 2026
- Medium CVE-2026-75104 Hugging Face Transformers Path Traversal via Checkpoint Index Aug 17, 2026
- High CVE-2026-9856 Path Traversal in huggingface/transformers Aug 2, 2026
- Critical CVE-2026-5241 Policy Bypass in LightGlue Nested Config Resolution in huggingface/transformers Jun 3, 2026
- High CVE-2026-4372 Arbitrary Remote Code Execution via `_attn_implementation_internal` Config Injection in huggingface/transformers May 24, 2026
- High CVE-2025-14928 Hugging Face Transformers HuBERT convert_config Code Injection Remote Code Execution Vulnerability Dec 23, 2025
Not in any source we poll
Listed rather than left blank: an empty field and an unmeasured one look identical on screen, and only one is a reason to look elsewhere.
- No confirmed IOCs, IP addresses, domains, file hashes, or malware artifacts supplied.
- No organization-specific asset inventory, compensating-control status, or patch deployment evidence supplied.
- No exploit packet captures, log samples, or incident case IDs supplied.
Answered from this record
Text assembled only from the fields above — no additional claims.
What should defenders know first?
CVE-2026-1839 is "Arbitrary Code Execution via Unsafe torch.load() in Trainer Checkpoint Loading in huggingface/transformers", rated High. It affects Transformers (Huggingface); versions are in the scope table. It is not in CISA KEV, which does not rule out exploitation. CVSS 7.8 describes technical severity. EPSS 0.38% estimates the probability of exploitation in 30 days; neither replaces your asset context. First verify whether exposed or business-critical assets run the affected versions, apply vendor fixes or mitigations, and preserve logs for review.
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