Description
virtualenv is a tool for creating isolated virtual python environments. Prior to 21.7.13, the generated activate (bash and zsh) and activate.fish scripts place values already escaped by shlex.quote inside an additional quoted context. In the bash and zsh script, a crafted virtual environment path reaches __VIRTUAL_ENV__ when a relocated environment's recorded directory is absent; in the fish script, crafted Tcl or Tk library paths reach __TCL_LIBRARY__ or __TK_LIBRARY__. The surplus quotes can terminate the data-only quoted run and leave shell metacharacters parsed as commands when a user sources the activation script, allowing code execution with that user's privileges. This issue is fixed in version 21.7.13.
Published: 2026-09-29
Score: 7.8 High
EPSS: < 1% Very Low
KEV: No
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Remediation

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History

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 21:00:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Pypa
Pypa virtualenv
Python
Python virtualenv
Vendors & Products Pypa
Pypa virtualenv
Python
Python virtualenv

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 20:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}


Wed, 30 Sep 2026 00:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-94
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

threat_severity

Important


Tue, 29 Sep 2026 21:00:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description virtualenv is a tool for creating isolated virtual python environments. Prior to 21.7.13, the generated activate (bash and zsh) and activate.fish scripts place values already escaped by shlex.quote inside an additional quoted context. In the bash and zsh script, a crafted virtual environment path reaches __VIRTUAL_ENV__ when a relocated environment's recorded directory is absent; in the fish script, crafted Tcl or Tk library paths reach __TCL_LIBRARY__ or __TK_LIBRARY__. The surplus quotes can terminate the data-only quoted run and leave shell metacharacters parsed as commands when a user sources the activation script, allowing code execution with that user's privileges. This issue is fixed in version 21.7.13.
Title virtualenv bash and fish activation scripts execute commands embedded in paths
Weaknesses CWE-78
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}


Subscriptions

Pypa Virtualenv
Python Virtualenv
cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: GitHub_M

Published:

Updated: 2026-09-30T19:25:16.653Z

Reserved: 2026-09-29T20:24:43.339Z

Link: CVE-2026-102925

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2026-09-30T19:25:07.259Z

cve-icon NVD

Status : Awaiting Analysis

Published: 2026-09-29T21:17:18.570

Modified: 2026-09-30T20:17:25.197

Link: CVE-2026-102925

cve-icon Redhat

Severity : Important

Publid Date: 2026-09-29T20:50:57Z

Links: CVE-2026-102925 - Bugzilla

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-09-30T20:35:37Z

Weaknesses
  • CWE-78

    Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')

  • CWE-94

    Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')