Tencent PatrickStar merge_checkpoint Deserialization of Untrusted Data Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

December 1st, 2025
ZDI-25-1034 ZDI-CAN-27182

CVE ID

CVE-2025-13706

CVSS Score

7.8 AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected Vendors

Tencent

Affected Products

PatrickStar

Vulnerability Details

This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Tencent PatrickStar. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file.

The specific flaw exists within the merge_checkpoint endpoint. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of user-supplied data, which can result in deserialization of untrusted data. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of root.

Additional Details

Tencent has issued an update to correct this vulnerability. More details can be found at:
https://github.com/Tencent/PatrickStar/commit/2384535503ea98cfe35ad04e20c0cfc7bf58d5d7

Disclosure Timeline

  • 2025-05-29 - Vulnerability reported to vendor
  • 2025-12-01 - Coordinated public release of advisory
  • 2025-12-01 - Advisory Updated

Credit

Peter Girnus (@gothburz) of Trend Zero Day Initiative

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