Privilege escalation in Pyload

CVE-2026-33509

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.

Vulnerability class: Privilege Escalation

Published · last modified .

CVSS v3 metric

CVSS v3 base score 7.5 (High). Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.

EPSS exploit prediction

EPSS: 0.006 (45.6th percentile), scored .

Very low probability of exploitation in the next 30 days; routine patching cadence is appropriate. 46th percentile — 45.6% of CVEs in the catalogue have a lower EPSS than this one. How to read EPSS.

EPSS trend (30 days)EPSS over the last 30 days for CVE-2026-33509: held from 0.005 to 0.006.

EPSS over last 30 days · oldest: 0.005 · newest: 0.006 · change: +0.001

Affected products

Weakness classification (CWE)

References

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2026-33509?
CVE-2026-33509 is a high-severity vulnerability in Pyload, classified under Improper Privilege Management. CVSS score: 7.5/10. Published 2026-03-24.
How severe is CVE-2026-33509?
High severity. CVSS v3 base score is 7.5 out of 10.