CVE-2026-41523
What it is
vLLM is an inference and serving engine for large language models (LLMs). Prior to 0.22.0, an assert-based security check in vLLM's activation function loading allows any unauthenticated attacker to achieve arbitrary code execution on the server by publishing a malicious HuggingFace model, when vLLM runs in Python optimized mode (python -O or PYTHONOPTIMIZE=1). This vulnerability is fixed in 0.22.0.
At a glance
- Exploitability
- Can be exploited over the network without logging in, but needs a user to act. High risk of data exposure, data tampering, service disruption.
- Exploit odds
- 0.9% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).
- Fix
- A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.
Timeline
- PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
- Last updatedMost recent change to the record
Why it ranks here
- Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
- Exploit odds: 0.9% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
- Severity: 7.5 HIGH (CVSS).
- Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.
Details
- Published
- Last modified
- Exploit probability
- 0.9% · EPSS, next 30 days
- Weakness
- CWE-94 · Code injection
- Record status
- Modified
Affected
- Vllm < 0.22.0
Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 7.5
- Attack vector
- Network
- Complexity
- High
- Privileges needed
- None
- User interaction
- Required
- Scope
- Unchanged
- Confidentiality
- High
- Integrity
- High
- Availability
- High
Raw vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Is it in your code?
Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.
Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2026-41523.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2026-41523. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.
Fix and advisories
- https://github.com/vllm-project/vllm/commit/b3c7ffcab82c2439726f8cb213800f6f38c023d3
- https://github.com/vllm-project/vllm/security/advisories/GHSA-q8gq-377p-jq3r
References
- https://github.com/vllm-project/vllm/commit/b3c7ffcab82c2439726f8cb213800f6f38c023d3
- https://github.com/vllm-project/vllm/security/advisories/GHSA-q8gq-377p-jq3r
- https://huntr.com/bounties/dcb05b04-e625-41e7-adbc-bbae0cc2d64c
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:36005
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:36006
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:57380
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:57387
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:57389
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:57390
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:59138
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:59139
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:59144
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:59151
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:61627
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:61629
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:62335
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:62336
- https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-41523
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2491582
- https://security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/vex/2026/cve-2026-41523.json