CVE-2026-28684

python-dotenv reads key-value pairs from a .env file and can set them as environment variables. Prior to version 1.2.2, `set_key()` and `unset_key()` in python-dotenv follow symbolic links when rewriting `.env` files, allowing a local attacker to overwrite arbitrary files via a crafted symlink when a cross-device rename fallback is triggered. Users should upgrade to v.1.2.2 or, as a workaround, apply the patch manually.

CVSS v3 6.6 MEDIUM

6.6^/10

CVSS v3 : MEDIUM

Vector :

Exploitability : 1.3 / Impact : 5.2

Attack Vector LOCAL

Attack Complexity LOW

Privileges Required LOW

User Interaction REQUIRED

Confidentiality Impact NONE

Integrity Impact HIGH

Availability Impact HIGH

Scope UNCHANGED

References

Link	Resource
https://github.com/theskumar/python-dotenv/commit/790c5c02991100aa1bf41ee5330aca75edc51311	Patch
https://github.com/theskumar/python-dotenv/releases/tag/v1.2.2	Release Notes
https://github.com/theskumar/python-dotenv/security/advisories/GHSA-mf9w-mj56-hr94	Exploit Patch Vendor Advisory
https://github.com/theskumar/python-dotenv/security/advisories/GHSA-mf9w-mj56-hr94	Exploit Patch Vendor Advisory

Configurations

Configuration 1 (hide)

cpe:2.3:a:saurabh-kumar:python-dotenv:*:*:*:*:*:python:*:*

History

No history.

Information

Published : 2026-04-20 17:16

Updated : 2026-06-17 10:28

NVD link : CVE-2026-28684

Mitre link : CVE-2026-28684

CVE.ORG link : CVE-2026-28684

JSON object : View

Products Affected

saurabh-kumar

python-dotenv

CWE

CWE-59

Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')

CWE-61

UNIX Symbolic Link (Symlink) Following

{"id": "CVE-2026-28684", "cveTags": [], "metrics": {"ssvcV203": [{"source": "134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0", "ssvcData": {"id": "CVE-2026-28684", "role": "CISA Coordinator", "options": [{"exploitation": "poc"}, {"automatable": "no"}, {"technicalImpact": "total"}], "version": "2.0.3", "timestamp": "2026-04-20T17:43:03.518532Z"}}], "cvssMetricV31": [{"type": "Secondary", "source": "security-advisories@github.com", "cvssData": {"scope": "UNCHANGED", "version": "3.1", "baseScore": 6.6, "attackVector": "LOCAL", "baseSeverity": "MEDIUM", "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "userInteraction": "REQUIRED", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH", "privilegesRequired": "LOW", "confidentialityImpact": "NONE"}, "impactScore": 5.2, "exploitabilityScore": 1.3}]}, "affected": [{"source": "security-advisories@github.com", "affectedData": [{"vendor": "theskumar", "product": "python-dotenv", "versions": [{"status": "affected", "version": "< 1.2.2"}]}]}], "published": "2026-04-20T17:16:33.087", "references": [{"url": "https://github.com/theskumar/python-dotenv/commit/790c5c02991100aa1bf41ee5330aca75edc51311", "tags": ["Patch"], "source": "security-advisories@github.com"}, {"url": "https://github.com/theskumar/python-dotenv/releases/tag/v1.2.2", "tags": ["Release Notes"], "source": "security-advisories@github.com"}, {"url": "https://github.com/theskumar/python-dotenv/security/advisories/GHSA-mf9w-mj56-hr94", "tags": ["Exploit", "Patch", "Vendor Advisory"], "source": "security-advisories@github.com"}, {"url": "https://github.com/theskumar/python-dotenv/security/advisories/GHSA-mf9w-mj56-hr94", "tags": ["Exploit", "Patch", "Vendor Advisory"], "source": "134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0"}], "vulnStatus": "Analyzed", "weaknesses": [{"type": "Secondary", "source": "security-advisories@github.com", "description": [{"lang": "en", "value": "CWE-59"}, {"lang": "en", "value": "CWE-61"}]}], "descriptions": [{"lang": "en", "value": "python-dotenv reads key-value pairs from a .env file and can set them as environment variables. Prior to version 1.2.2, `set_key()` and `unset_key()` in python-dotenv follow symbolic links when rewriting `.env` files, allowing a local attacker to overwrite arbitrary files via a crafted symlink when a cross-device rename fallback is triggered. Users should upgrade to v.1.2.2 or, as a workaround, apply the patch manually."}], "lastModified": "2026-06-17T10:28:54.243", "configurations": [{"nodes": [{"negate": false, "cpeMatch": [{"criteria": "cpe:2.3:a:saurabh-kumar:python-dotenv:*:*:*:*:*:python:*:*", "vulnerable": true, "matchCriteriaId": "073ED303-9AEE-4532-B10A-8C16C2FDC5A3", "versionEndExcluding": "1.2.2"}], "operator": "OR"}]}], "sourceIdentifier": "security-advisories@github.com"}