{"templateId":"markdown","sharedDataIds":{"sidebar":"sidebar-sidebars.yaml"},"props":{"metadata":{"markdoc":{"tagList":[]},"type":"markdown"},"seo":{"title":"Model Sideloading","siteUrl":"https://docs.hiddenlayer.ai"},"dynamicMarkdocComponents":[],"compilationErrors":[],"ast":{"$$mdtype":"Tag","name":"article","attributes":{},"children":[{"$$mdtype":"Tag","name":"Heading","attributes":{"level":1,"id":"model-sideloading","__idx":0},"children":["Model Sideloading"]},{"$$mdtype":"Tag","name":"Heading","attributes":{"level":2,"id":"detection-summary","__idx":1},"children":["Detection Summary"]},{"$$mdtype":"Tag","name":"p","attributes":{},"children":["The model file exhibits behavior consistent with loading code or model artifacts from an unexpected or external location, bypassing standard model loading and validation processes."]},{"$$mdtype":"Tag","name":"Heading","attributes":{"level":2,"id":"security-impact","__idx":2},"children":["Security Impact"]},{"$$mdtype":"Tag","name":"p","attributes":{},"children":["Model sideloading can allow adversaries to introduce unvalidated or malicious components at runtime, potentially enabling hidden functionality, obfuscating payloads, or circumventing security checks applied to the original model artifact."]},{"$$mdtype":"Tag","name":"Heading","attributes":{"level":2,"id":"false-positive-considerations","__idx":3},"children":["False Positive Considerations"]},{"$$mdtype":"Tag","name":"p","attributes":{},"children":["Model sideloading is generally not expected behavior; however, in limited cases it may be observed in experimental or custom loading workflows, emphasizing the need to validate whether such behavior is intentional and authorized."]},{"$$mdtype":"Tag","name":"Heading","attributes":{"level":2,"id":"recommended-remediation","__idx":4},"children":["Recommended Remediation"]},{"$$mdtype":"Tag","name":"ul","attributes":{},"children":[{"$$mdtype":"Tag","name":"li","attributes":{},"children":["Treat the model as untrusted until the source and purpose of the sideloaded artifacts are fully validated."]},{"$$mdtype":"Tag","name":"li","attributes":{},"children":["Identify and review all external locations or resources referenced during model loading to determine whether they are authorized and secured."]},{"$$mdtype":"Tag","name":"li","attributes":{},"children":["Engage the team responsible for model development or deployment to confirm whether sideloading behavior is expected or documented."]},{"$$mdtype":"Tag","name":"li","attributes":{},"children":["Perform static analysis of the model file and associated loading logic to identify any hidden or obfuscated payloads."]},{"$$mdtype":"Tag","name":"li","attributes":{},"children":["If feasible, execute the model in a sandboxed or isolated environment to observe runtime behavior and confirm whether unauthorized artifacts are loaded."]},{"$$mdtype":"Tag","name":"li","attributes":{},"children":["If sideloaded components cannot be validated as legitimate, remove the model from the deployment pipeline."]},{"$$mdtype":"Tag","name":"li","attributes":{},"children":["If the model is already deployed, escalate according to established security and incident response procedures to assess impact and determine appropriate containment or remediation actions."]}]}]},"headings":[{"value":"Model Sideloading","id":"model-sideloading","depth":1},{"value":"Detection Summary","id":"detection-summary","depth":2},{"value":"Security Impact","id":"security-impact","depth":2},{"value":"False Positive Considerations","id":"false-positive-considerations","depth":2},{"value":"Recommended Remediation","id":"recommended-remediation","depth":2}],"frontmatter":{"seo":{"title":"Model Sideloading"}},"lastModified":"2026-05-26T18:25:46.000Z","pagePropGetterError":{"message":"","name":""}},"slug":"/docs/products/supply-chain/remediation-guide/model_sideloading","userData":{"isAuthenticated":false,"teams":["anonymous"]},"isPublic":true}