This advisory addresses the use of the search_hub() function within the SageMaker Python SDK's JumpStart search functionality. An actor with the ability to control query parameters passed to the search_hub() function could potentially provide malformed input that causes the eval() function to execute arbitrary commands, access sensitive data, or compromise the execution environment.
A defense-in-depth enhancement has been implemented to replace code evaluation with safe string operations when processing search query parameters. This enhancement removes the use of eval() from the execution path, replacing it with a safe recursive descent parser. The change was released in SageMaker Python SDK version 3.4.0 on January 23, 2026. This advisory is informational to help customers understand their responsibilities regarding input validation and configuration security under the AWS Shared Responsibility Model.
Customer applications that pass unsanitized or untrusted input directly to the search_hub() function's query parameter could be prone to Remote Code Execution (RCE), potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary commands, access sensitive data, or compromise the execution environment. While the SDK was functioning within the requirements of the shared responsibility model—where input sanitization falls on the customer side—additional safeguards have been added to support secure customer implementations and provide defense-in-depth protection.
Impacted versions: All versions of SageMaker Python SDK prior to 3.4.0
On January 23, 2026, an enhancement was made to SageMaker Python SDK version 3.4.0, which replaces eval() with a safe recursive descent parser that uses string operations for pattern matching with proper operator precedence and exception handling. We recommend upgrading to version 3.4.0 or later, using the following command:
pip install --upgrade sagemaker>=3.4.0
Customers using forked or derivative code should incorporate the fixes from the referenced pull request.
No workarounds are needed, but as always you should ensure that your application is following security best practices:
If you have any questions or comments about this advisory, contact AWS Security via our vulnerability reporting page or email [email protected]. Please do not create a public GitHub issue.
We thank Dan Aridor (@daridor9) and the security research community for bringing these customer security considerations to our attention through the coordinated disclosure process and for collaborating on this issue through responsible disclosure practices.
| Software | Affected versions |
|---|---|
sagemaker
|
>= 3.0.0, < 3.4.0 |
A vulnerability database tells you what is broken. Attack surface management tells you where it is running: it discovers your internet-facing assets and flags the ones affected by issues like this one.
What is attack surface management? →A security vulnerability is a weakness in software, hardware, or configuration that can be exploited to compromise confidentiality, integrity, or availability. Many vulnerabilities are tracked as CVEs (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures), which provide a standardized identifier so teams can coordinate patching, mitigation, and risk assessment across tools and vendors.
CVSS (Common Vulnerability Scoring System) estimates technical severity, but it doesn't automatically equal business risk. Prioritize using context like internet exposure, affected asset criticality, known exploitation (proof-of-concept or in-the-wild), and whether compensating controls exist. A "Medium" CVSS on an exposed, production system can be more urgent than a "Critical" on an isolated, non-production host.
A vulnerability is the underlying weakness. An exploit is the method or code used to take advantage of it. A zero-day is a vulnerability that is unknown to the vendor or has no publicly available fix when attackers begin using it. In practice, risk increases sharply when exploitation becomes reliable or widespread.
Recurring findings usually come from incomplete Asset Discovery, inconsistent patch management, inherited images, and configuration drift. In modern environments, you also need to watch the software supply chain: dependencies, containers, build pipelines, and third-party services can reintroduce the same weakness even after you patch a single host. Unknown or unmanaged assets (often called Shadow IT) are a common reason the same issues resurface.
Use a simple, repeatable triage model: focus first on externally exposed assets, high-value systems (identity, VPN, email, production), vulnerabilities with known exploits, and issues that enable remote code execution or privilege escalation. Then enforce patch SLAs and track progress using consistent metrics so remediation is steady, not reactive.
SynScan combines attack surface monitoring and continuous security auditing to keep your inventory current, flag high-impact vulnerabilities early, and help you turn raw findings into a practical remediation plan.