CVE-2025-33253: NVIDIA NeMo Framework RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2025-33253 Overview

NVIDIA NeMo Framework contains an insecure deserialization vulnerability (CWE-502) that could enable remote code execution when a user loads a maliciously crafted file. This vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on systems running vulnerable versions of the NeMo Framework by convincing users to open specially crafted files. A successful exploit of this vulnerability might lead to code execution, denial of service, information disclosure, and data tampering.

Critical Impact

Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can achieve remote code execution, potentially gaining full control over affected systems. The vulnerability's local attack vector requires user interaction to load a malicious file, but once exploited can result in complete system compromise including data theft and tampering.

Affected Products

• NVIDIA NeMo Framework (vulnerable versions)

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-02-18 - CVE-2025-33253 published to NVD
• 2026-02-18 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-33253

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as an Insecure Deserialization issue (CWE-502), a dangerous class of vulnerabilities where untrusted data is used to abuse the logic of an application during deserialization. In the context of NVIDIA NeMo Framework, the vulnerability manifests when processing user-supplied files that contain serialized objects.

When a user loads a maliciously crafted file, the NeMo Framework deserializes the embedded data without proper validation or sanitization. This allows an attacker to inject malicious serialized objects that, upon deserialization, execute arbitrary code within the context of the application. The exploitation requires local access and user interaction, as the victim must be convinced to load the attacker-controlled file.

The potential impact is severe, encompassing code execution, denial of service, information disclosure, and data tampering. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can potentially execute commands with the same privileges as the user running the NeMo Framework.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the insecure deserialization of untrusted data within the NVIDIA NeMo Framework. The application deserializes user-controllable input without implementing adequate integrity checks or type restrictions, allowing attackers to manipulate serialized objects to achieve code execution. This is a common pattern in machine learning frameworks where model files or configuration data may contain serialized Python objects (such as pickle-based serialization) that execute code upon loading.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is local, requiring the attacker to convince a user to load a maliciously crafted file. Typical attack scenarios include:

1. Social Engineering: Distributing malicious model files or configuration files through repositories, email attachments, or download links
2. Supply Chain Compromise: Injecting malicious serialized payloads into shared model repositories or training pipelines
3. Phishing Campaigns: Targeting machine learning researchers and engineers with seemingly legitimate NeMo Framework files

The vulnerability exploitation mechanism involves crafting a malicious file containing a serialized payload that, when deserialized by the NeMo Framework, executes arbitrary Python code. See the NVIDIA Support Article for additional technical details on the vulnerability.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-33253

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected process spawns or child processes from NeMo Framework applications
• Unusual network connections originating from Python processes running NeMo workloads
• Suspicious file access patterns, particularly access to sensitive system files or credentials
• Unexpected modifications to system files or configurations following model file loading
• Anomalous Python pickle or serialization-related stack traces in application logs

Detection Strategies

• Monitor for suspicious Python process behavior, especially unexpected subprocess creation or network activity after loading model files
• Implement file integrity monitoring on NeMo Framework installations and model storage directories
• Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to identify exploitation attempts through behavioral analysis
• Audit and log all model file loading operations with source tracking
• SentinelOne Singularity provides automated detection of deserialization exploitation attempts through behavioral AI

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose logging for NeMo Framework operations to capture file loading events
• Monitor for indicators of code execution following model or configuration file loading
• Implement network segmentation for ML workloads to contain potential compromise
• Track file downloads and sources for all NeMo-related files loaded in your environment

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-33253

Immediate Actions Required

• Update NVIDIA NeMo Framework to the latest patched version immediately
• Audit all model files and configurations for integrity before loading
• Only load NeMo Framework files from trusted and verified sources
• Implement strict access controls to limit who can upload or share model files
• Consider isolating NeMo Framework workloads in sandboxed environments

Patch Information

NVIDIA has released a security update to address this vulnerability. Refer to the NVIDIA Support Article for specific patch information and download instructions. Organizations should prioritize updating to the patched version to eliminate this vulnerability.

For additional details, consult the NVD CVE-2025-33253 Detail page.

Workarounds

• Avoid loading model files or configurations from untrusted or unknown sources
• Implement code signing and verification for all model files before loading
• Run NeMo Framework workloads in isolated containers or virtual environments with limited system access
• Deploy application-level sandboxing to restrict deserialization operations
• Use SentinelOne Singularity to detect and block exploitation attempts at the endpoint level

# Example: Running NeMo in an isolated container with restricted permissions
docker run --rm -it \
  --read-only \
  --security-opt=no-new-privileges \
  --cap-drop=ALL \
  -v /path/to/trusted/models:/models:ro \
  nvidia/nemo-framework:latest