NVIDIA
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diff --git a/‎SECURITY.md‎
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@@ -4,7 +4,35 @@ reviews:
   profile: chill
   collapse_walkthrough: true
   poem: false
+  path_instructions:
+    - path: "modelopt/**/*.py"
+      instructions: &security_instructions |
+        Review all modelopt package and examples Python changes against the security coding practices in
+        SECURITY.md. Flag any of the following as CRITICAL security issues,
+        request changes, and fail the check if ANY are present:
+        1. torch.load(..., weights_only=False) with no inline comment justifying why it is safe
+           (e.g. confirming the file is internally-generated and not user-supplied).
+        2. numpy.load(..., allow_pickle=True) with no inline comment justifying why it is safe.
+           Should expose allow_pickle as a caller-configurable parameter defaulting to False, not hardcode True.
+        3. trust_remote_code=True hardcoded for transformers model or tokenizer loading.
+           Code should expose it as a caller-configurable parameter defaulting to False, not hardcode True.
+        4. eval() or exec() on any input that could originate from outside the process.
+        5. Any use of "# nosec" comments to bypass Bandit security checks is not allowed.
+           If a security-sensitive pattern is genuinely necessary, the PR must be reviewed and approved
+           by @NVIDIA/modelopt-setup-codeowners with an explicit justification in the PR description.
+    - path: "examples/**/*.py"
+      instructions: *security_instructions
   auto_review:
-    auto_incremental_review: false
+    auto_incremental_review: true
     drafts: false
     base_branches: ["main", "release/.*", "feature/.*"]
+  pre_merge_checks:
+    custom_checks:
+      - name: "Security anti-patterns"
+        mode: "error"
+        instructions: *security_instructions
+knowledge_base:
+  code_guidelines:
+    filePatterns:
+      - "CONTRIBUTING.md"
+      - "SECURITY.md"
@@ -1,27 +1,28 @@
-## What does this PR do?
+### What does this PR do?
 
-**Type of change:** ? <!-- Use one of the following: Bug fix, new feature, new example, new tests, documentation. -->
+Type of change: ? <!-- Use one of the following: Bug fix, new feature, new example, new tests, documentation. -->
 
-**Overview:** ?
+<!-- Details about the change. -->
 
-## Usage
-<!-- You can potentially add a usage example below. -->
+### Usage
 
 ```python
 # Add a code snippet demonstrating how to use this
 ```
 
-## Testing
+### Testing
 <!-- Mention how have you tested your change if applicable. -->
 
-## Before your PR is "*Ready for review*"
-<!-- If you haven't finished some of the above items you can still open `Draft` PR. -->
+### Before your PR is "*Ready for review*"
 
-- **Make sure you read and follow [Contributor guidelines](https://github.com/NVIDIA/Model-Optimizer/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md)** and your commits are signed.
-- **Is this change backward compatible?**: Yes/No <!--- If No, explain why. -->
-- **Did you write any new necessary tests?**: Yes/No
-- **Did you add or update any necessary documentation?**: Yes/No
-- **Did you update [Changelog](https://github.com/NVIDIA/Model-Optimizer/blob/main/CHANGELOG.rst)?**: Yes/No <!--- Only for new features, API changes, critical bug fixes or bw breaking changes. -->
+Make sure you read and follow [Contributor guidelines](https://github.com/NVIDIA/Model-Optimizer/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md) and your commits are signed (`git commit -s -S`).
 
-## Additional Information
+Make sure you read and follow the [Security Best Practices](https://github.com/NVIDIA/Model-Optimizer/blob/main/SECURITY.md#security-coding-practices-for-contributors) (e.g. avoiding hardcoded `trust_remote_code=True`, using `torch.load(..., weights_only=True)`, avoiding `pickle`, etc.).
+
+- Is this change backward compatible?: ✅ / ❌ / N/A <!--- If ❌, explain why. -->
+- If you copied code from any other source, did you follow IP policy in [CONTRIBUTING.md](https://github.com/NVIDIA/Model-Optimizer/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md#-copying-code-from-other-sources)?: ✅ / ❌ / N/A <!--- Mandatory -->
+- Did you write any new necessary tests?: ✅ / ❌ / N/A <!--- Mandatory for new features or examples. -->
+- Did you update [Changelog](https://github.com/NVIDIA/Model-Optimizer/blob/main/CHANGELOG.rst)?: ✅ / ❌ / N/A <!--- Only for new features, API changes, critical bug fixes or backward incompatible changes. -->
+
+### Additional Information
 <!-- E.g. related issue. -->
@@ -39,36 +39,41 @@ To run the pre-commit hooks without committing, use:
 pre-commit run --all-files
 ```
 
-## 📝 Writing tests
+## 🔒 Security coding practices
 
-We use [pytest](https://docs.pytest.org/) for all tests. The tests are organized into the following directories:
+All contributors must follow the security coding practices documented in *Security Coding Practices for
+Contributors* section of [SECURITY.md](./SECURITY.md#security-coding-practices-for-contributors) page.
 
-- `tests/unit`: Fast cpu-based unit tests for the core ModelOpt library. They should not take more than a few seconds to run.
-- `tests/gpu`: Fast GPU-based unit tests for the core ModelOpt library. In most cases, they should not take more than a few seconds to run.
-- `tests/examples`: Integration tests for ModelOpt examples. They should not take more than a few minutes to run. Please refer to [example test README](./tests/examples/README.md) for more details.
+Any security-sensitive exception requires review and approval from `@NVIDIA/modelopt-setup-codeowners`.
 
-Please refer to [tox.ini](./tox.ini) for more details on how to run the tests and their dependencies.
+## 📋 Copying code from other sources
 
-### Code Coverage
+The utilization of third-party code requires authorization via the Open Source Review Board (OSRB) team and needs to follow proper guidance on contributing code.
 
-For any new features / examples, make sure to they are covered by the tests and that the Codecov coverage check in your PR passes.
+If you are an external contributor, seek guidance from `@NVIDIA/modelopt-setup-codeowners` for next steps. For internal contributors, follow the steps below:
 
-## Submitting your code
+- **File NVBug for use of open-source code:**
+  Clone NVBug 2885977 and add your use case. Copying code from permissive licensed repositories (e.g. MIT, Apache 2) is generally self-checkout but for other licenses, it is necessary to get expert guidance before merging your PR.
+- **License header format:** The file which has code copied from another third-party GitHub repository should have the following in order:
+  1. A reference link (with commit hash) to the source from which the code was copied.
+  1. The original repository's Copyright / License.
+  1. The NVIDIA Apache 2.0 Copyright / License header.
 
-- If you are an external contributor, create a fork of the repository.
-- Rebase (not merge) your code to the most recent commit of the `main` branch. We want to ensure a linear history;
-  see [Merge vs Rebase](https://www.atlassian.com/git/tutorials/merging-vs-rebasing). Remember to test again locally after rebasing to catch any new issues before pushing to your PR.
+  See [`modelopt/torch/speculative/eagle/utils.py`](./modelopt/torch/speculative/eagle/utils.py)
+  for an example of the correct license header format.
+- **Exclude from license pre-commit hook:** Exclude copied files from the license pre-commit hook so it doesn't auto-add the NVIDIA Apache 2.0 license on top of the file. Add the file path to the `exclude` list in the `insert-license` hook in [`.pre-commit-config.yaml`](./.pre-commit-config.yaml).
 
-```bash
-git pull
-git rebase origin/main
-git push origin <branch> --force-with-lease
-```
+## 📝 Writing tests
 
-- When pushing the rebased (or any) branch, use `git push --force-with-lease` instead of `git push --force`.
-- Submit a pull request and let auto-assigned reviewers (based on [CODEOWNERS](./.github/CODEOWNERS)) review your PR.
-- If any CI/CD checks fail, fix the issues and push again.
-- Once your PR is approved and all checks pass, one of the reviewers will merge the PR.
+We use [pytest](https://docs.pytest.org/) for all tests. For any new features / examples, make sure to add tests and that the coverage check in your PR passes. The tests are organized into the following directories:
+
+- `tests/unit`: Fast cpu-based unit tests for the core ModelOpt library. They should not take more than a few seconds to run.
+- `tests/gpu`: Fast GPU-based unit tests for the core ModelOpt library. In most cases, they should not take more than a few seconds to run.
+- `tests/gpu_megatron`: Fast GPU-based unit tests for the core ModelOpt library for Megatron-Core features. In most cases, they should not take more than a few seconds to run.
+- `tests/gpu_trtllm`: Fast GPU-based unit tests for the core ModelOpt library for TensorRT-LLM features. In most cases, they should not take more than a few seconds to run.
+- `tests/examples`: Integration tests for ModelOpt examples. They should not take more than a few minutes to run. Please refer to [example test README](./tests/examples/README.md) for more details.
+
+Please refer to [tox.ini](./tox.ini) for more details on how to run the tests and their dependencies.
 
 ## ✍️ Signing your work
 
@@ -135,3 +140,9 @@ git push origin <branch> --force-with-lease
 
     (d) I understand and agree that this project and the contribution are public and that a record of the contribution (including all personal information I submit with it, including my sign-off) is maintained indefinitely and may be redistributed consistent with this project or the open source license(s) involved.
   ```
+
+## Submitting your code
+
+- Submit a pull request and let auto-assigned reviewers (based on [CODEOWNERS](./.github/CODEOWNERS)) review your PR.
+- If any CI/CD checks fail, fix the issues and push again.
+- Once your PR is approved and all checks pass, one of the reviewers will merge the PR.
@@ -22,4 +22,150 @@ While NVIDIA currently does not have a bug bounty program, we do offer acknowled
 
 ## NVIDIA Product Security
 
-For all security-related concerns, please visit NVIDIA's [Product Security portal](https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/security)
+For all security-related concerns, please visit NVIDIA's [Product Security portal](https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/security).
+
+---
+
+## Security Considerations
+
+### Overview
+
+NVIDIA Model Optimizer (ModelOpt) is a library used to optimize ML models and may load and process user-provided artifacts (models, weights, configs, calibration data) and their dependencies. Secure deployment depends on how you source artifacts, validate inputs, and harden the environment where ModelOpt runs.
+
+### What to Be Aware Of
+
+#### Untrusted model and data inputs
+
+- Models, weights, configs and data may be malicious or corrupted.
+
+#### Deserialization and code-execution risks
+
+- Unsafe deserialization can lead to arbitrary code execution if fed untrusted inputs.
+- Avoid using serialization formats/settings that can deserialize arbitrary objects.
+
+#### Input validation and resource exhaustion
+
+- Large or malformed inputs can trigger crashes or excessive CPU/GPU/memory use.
+- Missing size/type checks can increase DoS risk.
+
+#### Data in transit and at rest
+
+- If fetching models or dependencies over the network, insecure transport can enable tampering.
+- Stored artifacts, logs, and caches may contain sensitive data.
+
+#### Logging and observability
+
+- Logs may inadvertently contain sensitive inputs, paths, tokens, or proprietary model details.
+- Overly verbose logs can leak operational and security-relevant information.
+
+#### Supply chain and third-party components
+
+- Dependencies may include known vulnerabilities or be compromised.
+- Third-party plugins/components loaded at runtime may not have the same security assurances.
+
+### Example Security Approaches
+
+#### Artifact integrity
+
+- Only load artifacts from trusted sources.
+- Prefer signed artifacts; verify signatures before loading.
+
+#### Safe parsing and deserialization
+
+- Prefer safer storage formats (avoid object deserialization for untrusted inputs).
+- Avoid `pickle`, `torch.load()` with untrusted weights, or YAML `unsafe_load`.
+- Treat any unverified artifact as untrusted and block/guard its loading.
+
+#### Hardening and least privilege
+
+- Run with least privilege and isolate workloads.
+
+#### Data protection
+
+- Encrypt sensitive data at rest; use TLS 1.3 for data in transit.
+- Never hardcode or log credentials.
+
+#### Resilience
+
+- Validate inputs and enforce limits (file size, timeouts, quotas, etc.).
+- Keep OS, containers, and dependencies patched; scan for known vulnerabilities.
+
+---
+
+## Security Coding Practices for Contributors
+
+ModelOpt processes model checkpoints and weights from various sources. Contributors must avoid patterns that can introduce security vulnerabilities. These rules apply to all code except tests. These rules cover a few key security considerations as follows:
+
+### Deserializing untrusted data
+
+**Do not use `torch.load(..., weights_only=False)`** unless a documented exception is provided. It uses pickle under the hood and can execute arbitrary code from a malicious checkpoint.
+
+```python
+# Bad — allows arbitrary code execution from the checkpoint file
+state = torch.load(path, weights_only=False)
+
+# Good
+state = torch.load(path, weights_only=True, map_location="cpu")
+
+# Acceptable only with an inline comment explaining why weights_only=False
+# is required and confirming the file is internally-generated / trusted.
+state = torch.load(
+    path,
+    weights_only=False,  # loaded file is generated internally by ModelOpt and not supplied by the user
+    map_location="cpu",
+)
+```
+
+**Do not use `numpy.load(..., allow_pickle=True)`** unless a documented exception is provided. It uses pickle under the hood and can execute arbitrary code from a malicious checkpoint.
+
+```python
+# Bad — allows arbitrary code execution from the checkpoint file
+state = numpy.load(path, allow_pickle=True)
+
+# Good - let the caller decide; default to False
+def load_data(path: str, trust_data: bool = False):
+    return numpy.load(path, allow_pickle=trust_data)
+```
+
+**Do not use `yaml.load()`** — always use `yaml.safe_load()`. The default loader can execute arbitrary Python objects embedded in YAML.
+
+### Loading transformers models with `trust_remote_code`
+
+**Do not hardcode `trust_remote_code=True`.** This flag tells Transformers to execute arbitrary Python shipped with a checkpoint, which is an RCE vector if the model source is untrusted.
+
+```python
+# Bad — silently opts every user into remote code execution
+model = AutoModel.from_pretrained(name, trust_remote_code=True)
+
+# Good — let the caller decide; default to False
+def load_model(name: str, trust_remote_code: bool = False):
+    return AutoModel.from_pretrained(name, trust_remote_code=trust_remote_code)
+```
+
+### Subprocess and shell commands
+
+**Never use `shell=True` with string interpolation or user-supplied input.** This is a command-injection vector.
+
+```python
+# Bad — command injection if model_name contains shell metacharacters
+subprocess.run(f"python convert.py --model {model_name}", shell=True)
+
+# Good — pass arguments as a list
+subprocess.run(["python", "convert.py", "--model", model_name])
+```
+
+### Other patterns to avoid
+
+- **`eval()` / `exec()`** on strings derived from external input. If you must generate and execute code dynamically, validate the input against an allowlist of safe patterns.
+- **Hardcoded secrets or credentials** — never commit tokens, passwords, or API keys. Use environment variables or config files listed in `.gitignore`.
+
+### Bandit security checks
+
+Bandit is used as a pre-commit hook to check for security-sensitive patterns in the code. **`# nosec` comments are not allowed** as a bypass for security checks.
+
+### Creating a security exception
+
+If a security-sensitive pattern (e.g. `pickle`, `subprocess`) is genuinely required, the contributor must:
+
+1. **Add an inline comment** explaining *why* the pattern is necessary and *why* it is safe in this specific context (e.g. "loaded file is generated internally by ModelOpt").
+1. **Request review from [@NVIDIA/modelopt-setup-codeowners](https://github.com/orgs/NVIDIA/teams/modelopt-setup-codeowners)** and include a clear justification in the PR description.
@@ -129,9 +129,7 @@ Here is the example workflow of restoring the ModelOpt-modified model architectu
     model = ...
 
     # Restore the model architecture using the saved `modelopt_state`
-    # Security NOTE: weights_only=False is used here on ModelOpt-generated state_dict, not on untrusted user input
-    modelopt_state = torch.load("modelopt_state.pth", weights_only=False)
-    model = mto.restore_from_modelopt_state(model, modelopt_state)
+    model = mto.restore_from_modelopt_state(model, modelopt_state_path="modelopt_state.pth")
 
     # Load the model weights separately after restoring the model architecture
     custom_method_to_load_model_weights(model)