CVE-2025-62373: Pipecat Framework RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2025-62373 Overview

CVE-2025-62373 is a critical insecure deserialization vulnerability in Pipecat, an open-source Python framework for building real-time voice and multimodal conversational agents. The vulnerability exists in the LivekitFrameSerializer class, an optional and now deprecated frame serializer intended for LiveKit integration. The class's deserialize() method uses Python's dangerous pickle.loads() function on data received from WebSocket clients without any validation or sanitization, enabling remote code execution.

Critical Impact

A malicious WebSocket client can send a crafted pickle payload to execute arbitrary code on Pipecat servers configured with LivekitFrameSerializer, potentially leading to complete system compromise.

Affected Products

• Pipecat versions 0.0.41 through 0.0.93
• Pipecat deployments using LivekitFrameSerializer for LiveKit integration
• Servers configured to listen on external interfaces (e.g., 0.0.0.0)

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-04-23 - CVE CVE-2025-62373 published to NVD
• 2026-04-23 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-62373

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-502 (Deserialization of Untrusted Data). The vulnerable code resides in src/pipecat/serializers/livekit.py around line 73, where untrusted WebSocket message data is passed directly into pickle.loads() for deserialization. Python's pickle module is inherently unsafe when processing untrusted data because it can execute arbitrary code during the deserialization process.

The LivekitFrameSerializer class was designed as an optional, non-default, and undocumented component for LiveKit integration. Despite its limited intended use, its presence in affected versions creates a significant attack surface for any deployment that explicitly enables this serializer.

Root Cause

The root cause is the use of Python's pickle.loads() function to deserialize data received from WebSocket clients without implementing any validation, sanitization, or safe deserialization practices. The pickle module can instantiate arbitrary Python objects during deserialization, including objects that execute code in their __reduce__ method, making it fundamentally unsafe for processing untrusted input.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based and requires no authentication or user interaction. An attacker who can send WebSocket messages to a Pipecat server configured with LivekitFrameSerializer can craft a malicious pickle payload that, when deserialized, executes arbitrary Python code on the server. If the service is exposed to the internet (listening on 0.0.0.0 or a public interface), the attack can be launched remotely by any network actor.

The exploitation involves crafting a Python pickle payload that defines a class with a __reduce__ method returning a callable (such as os.system) along with command arguments. When the server deserializes this payload, it instantiates the malicious object and executes the attacker's code with the privileges of the Pipecat process.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-62373

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual WebSocket connections to Pipecat services containing binary pickle data
• Unexpected process spawning or command execution originating from the Pipecat process
• Network connections or file system access initiated by the Pipecat server process that deviate from normal operational behavior
• Presence of reverse shell processes or unauthorized network listeners on the server

Detection Strategies

• Monitor WebSocket traffic for binary payloads containing Python pickle magic bytes (typically starting with \\x80\\x04 or similar protocol markers)
• Implement application-level logging to capture deserialization events in the LivekitFrameSerializer class
• Use endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to identify anomalous behavior from Python processes running Pipecat
• Review Pipecat configuration files for usage of LivekitFrameSerializer

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed logging for all WebSocket connections and message content to Pipecat services
• Deploy network intrusion detection systems (NIDS) with signatures for pickle deserialization attacks
• Monitor process trees for unexpected child processes spawned by Pipecat worker processes
• Implement file integrity monitoring on Pipecat deployment directories

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-62373

Immediate Actions Required

• Upgrade Pipecat to version 0.0.94 or later immediately
• Audit existing Pipecat deployments for usage of LivekitFrameSerializer in configuration
• Discontinue use of LivekitFrameSerializer and migrate to the recommended LiveKitTransport or other secure methods
• Restrict network access to Pipecat services to trusted internal networks only

Patch Information

Version 0.0.94 of Pipecat contains a fix for this vulnerability. Users should upgrade to the latest version to address the insecure deserialization issue. For additional technical details, refer to the GitHub Security Advisory.

Workarounds

• Stop using the vulnerable LivekitFrameSerializer class immediately and switch to LiveKitTransport or another secure serialization method
• If upgrade is not immediately possible, implement network-level access controls to restrict WebSocket connections to trusted clients only
• Configure firewalls to prevent Pipecat services from listening on external interfaces (0.0.0.0)
• Apply the principle of least privilege to the Pipecat process to limit the impact of potential exploitation

# Network restriction example - bind to localhost only
# In your Pipecat configuration, ensure the service binds to 127.0.0.1 instead of 0.0.0.0
# Example firewall rule to restrict access (iptables)
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport <pipecat_port> -s 127.0.0.1 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport <pipecat_port> -j DROP