CVE-2026-33509
Received Received - Intake
Remote Code Execution via Improper Config in pyLoad Settings

Publication date: 2026-03-24

Last updated on: 2026-03-26

Assigner: GitHub, Inc.

Description
pyLoad is a free and open-source download manager written in Python. From version 0.4.0 to before version 0.5.0b3.dev97, the set_config_value() API endpoint allows users with the non-admin SETTINGS permission to modify any configuration option without restriction. The reconnect.script config option controls a file path that is passed directly to subprocess.run() in the thread manager's reconnect logic. A SETTINGS user can set this to any executable file on the system, achieving Remote Code Execution. The only validation in set_config_value() is a hardcoded check for general.storage_folder — all other security-critical settings including reconnect.script are writable without any allowlist or path restriction. This issue has been patched in version 0.5.0b3.dev97.
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Meta Information
Published
2026-03-24
Last Modified
2026-03-26
Generated
2026-06-16
AI Q&A
2026-03-24
EPSS Evaluated
2026-06-15
NVD
CVE-2026-33509
Affected Vendors & Products
Showing 2 associated CPEs
Vendor Product Version / Range
pyload pyload From 0.4 (inc) to 0.4.20 (inc)
pyload-ng_project pyload-ng From 0.5.0a5.dev528 (inc) to 0.5.0b3.dev97 (exc)
Helpful Resources
Exploitability
CWE
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KEV
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CWE ID Description
CWE-269 The product does not properly assign, modify, track, or check privileges for an actor, creating an unintended sphere of control for that actor.
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Executive Summary

This vulnerability exists in pyLoad, a Python-based download manager, in versions from 0.4.0 up to but not including 0.5.0b3.dev97. It involves the set_config_value() API endpoint, which allows users with the non-admin SETTINGS permission to modify any configuration option without restriction.

Specifically, the reconnect.script configuration option controls a file path that is passed directly to subprocess.run() in the thread manager's reconnect logic. Because there is no proper validation or restriction on this setting (except for a hardcoded check on general.storage_folder), a SETTINGS user can set reconnect.script to any executable file on the system.

This allows the user to execute arbitrary code remotely, resulting in Remote Code Execution (RCE). The vulnerability was patched in version 0.5.0b3.dev97.

Impact Analysis

This vulnerability can have severe impacts because it allows a user with limited permissions (non-admin SETTINGS permission) to execute arbitrary code on the system running pyLoad.

  • Remote Code Execution (RCE) can lead to full system compromise.
  • An attacker could run malicious executables, potentially stealing data, installing malware, or disrupting service.
  • Since the attacker does not need admin privileges, the attack surface is larger and easier to exploit.
  • This could result in loss of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system.
Compliance Impact

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Detection Guidance

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Mitigation Strategies

To mitigate this vulnerability, upgrade pyLoad to version 0.5.0b3.dev97 or later, where the issue has been patched.

Until the upgrade is applied, restrict non-admin users from accessing the set_config_value() API endpoint or the SETTINGS permission to prevent unauthorized modification of configuration options.

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