CVE-2026-12481

CRITICALCVSS 9.8/10EPSS 0.40%

Last modified

CVE-2026-12481 is a critical-severity vulnerability rated 9.8/10 on the CVSS scale. A vulnerability in keras-team/keras version 3.14.0 allows for arbitrary code execution due to improper handling of deserialization in the `Lambda` layer. Specifically, the `_raise_for_lambda_deserialization()` function fails to enforce the safe-mode guard when `safe_mode` is set to `None`, which is the default value when `from_config()` is called outside of a `SafeModeScope` context. EPSS estimates a 0.40% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

A vulnerability in keras-team/keras version 3.14.0 allows for arbitrary code execution due to improper handling of deserialization in the `Lambda` layer. Specifically, the `_raise_for_lambda_deserialization()` function fails to enforce the safe-mode guard when `safe_mode` is set to `None`, which is the default value when `from_config()` is called outside of a `SafeModeScope` context. This logic error conflates `None` (unset/default-deny) with `False` (explicitly disabled), bypassing the guard and allowing attacker-controlled `marshal` bytecode to be deserialized. Affected call sites include `keras.layers.deserialize(config)`, `keras.models.clone_model(model)`, and any direct invocation of `Lambda.from_config(config)` without an enclosing `SafeModeScope(True)`. This vulnerability can be exploited to achieve arbitrary OS-level code execution in the context of the server or user process.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1
9.8/10

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

CVSS 3.0
8.8/10

CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS Probability
0.40%

32.2th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

VendorProductVersions
KerasKeras3.14.0

References

Timeline

Published
Last Modified
Status
Analyzed

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2026-12481?
A vulnerability in keras-team/keras version 3.14.0 allows for arbitrary code execution due to improper handling of deserialization in the `Lambda` layer. Specifically, the `_raise_for_lambda_deserialization()` function fails to enforce the safe-mode guard when `safe_mode` is set to `None`, which is the default value when `from_config()` is called outside of a `SafeModeScope` context. This logic error conflates `None` (unset/default-deny) with `False` (explicitly disabled), bypassing the guard and allowing attacker-controlled `marshal` bytecode to be deserialized. Affected call sites include `keras.layers.deserialize(config)`, `keras.models.clone_model(model)`, and any direct invocation of `Lambda.from_config(config)` without an enclosing `SafeModeScope(True)`. This vulnerability can be exploited to achieve arbitrary OS-level code execution in the context of the server or user process.
How severe is CVE-2026-12481?
CVE-2026-12481 has a CVSS score of 9.8/10 (CRITICAL severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.40% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
How do I fix CVE-2026-12481?
Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

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Source: NVD / NIST