sentence-transformers Arbitrary Code Execution on Local Model Load Despite trust_remote_code=False
sentence-transformers contains a security control bypass vulnerability that allows attackers to achieve arbitrary code execution by exploiting a logic flaw in the import_module_class helper within sentence_transformers/util/misc.py, where the guard condition includes an 'or os.path.exists(model_name_or_path)' clause that satisfies the trust gate whenever the supplied path exists on the local filesystem, regardless of the trust_remote_code=False argument. Attackers who can control or influence the contents of a model directory on disk can place malicious Python files such as modeling_*.py referenced via modules.json, causing the code to execute at import time when an application loads the model with SentenceTransformer(path, trust_remote_code=False), bypassing the documented security contract and achieving code execution within the loading process.
CVE-2026-68770
Primary source · Revision 1
Imported from structured advisory data. Source references identify upstream records or fields; verify affected versions and your deployed configuration.
Security context
Source reference: cve:CVE-2026-68770
sentence-transformers
Source reference: /containers/cna/affected/0/product
- Affected versions
- Not stated in this record
- Fixed versions
- Not stated in this record
- Prerequisites
- Not stated in this record
Structured affected-version data
Original package identities and version rules from this source.
[
{
"vendor": "Hugging Face",
"product": "sentence-transformers",
"versions": [
{
"status": "affected",
"version": "0",
"versionType": "semver",
"lessThanOrEqual": "5.5.1"
}
],
"packageURL": "pkg:pypi/sentence-transformers",
"defaultStatus": "affected"
}
]- Related CVEs
- CVE-2026-68770
Source reference:
/cveMetadata/cveId
Publisher severity
critical
Source reference: /containers/cna/metrics
- Event
- #12816 · Revision 1
- Added to Heist Feed
- Publisher date