CVE-2026-113776

virtualenv is a tool for creating isolated virtual python environments. From 20.26.6 until 21.14.2, ViaTemplateActivator.instantiate_template() replaces placeholders one key at a time across the complete activation template, so trigger names such as __VIRTUAL_NAME__, __VIRTUAL_ENV__, or __VIRTUAL_PROMPT__ inside an already substituted and quoted environment path or prompt can be replaced during a later pass. The later value's quoting can close the earlier literal and execute the remaining path when a user activates the environment through bash, fish, xonsh, or activate_this.py. The distinct csh prompt-display token __VIRTUAL_PROMPT_DISPLAY_TCSH__ can instead break the generated script without establishing command execution. The attacker must influence the destination path or --prompt, and a value without a relevant placeholder name does not trigger this mechanism. This issue is fixed in version 21.14.2.

CVSS v3 7.8 HIGH

7.8^/10

CVSS v3 : HIGH

Vector :

Exploitability : 1.8 / Impact : 5.9

Attack Vector LOCAL

Attack Complexity LOW

Privileges Required NONE

User Interaction REQUIRED

Confidentiality Impact HIGH

Integrity Impact HIGH

Availability Impact HIGH

Scope UNCHANGED

References

Link	Resource
https://github.com/pypa/virtualenv/commit/602b26623a724827ff171bf11fef4ad186d01f74
https://github.com/pypa/virtualenv/releases/tag/21.14.2
https://github.com/pypa/virtualenv/security/advisories/GHSA-8rjx-v5ww-45pp

Configurations

No configuration.

History

20 Oct 2026, 22:19

Type	Values Removed	Values Added
New CVE

Information

Published : 2026-10-20 22:19

Updated : 2026-10-28 15:17

NVD link : CVE-2026-113776

Mitre link : CVE-2026-113776

CVE.ORG link : CVE-2026-113776

JSON object : View

Products Affected

No product.

CWE

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')

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