CVE-2026-113721

virtualenv: Generated files can follow existing destination links

State
Published
Severity
4.5 Medium
Published
Oct 20, 2026
Updated
Oct 28, 2026
Reserved
Oct 20, 2026

Read the record on cve.org

Description

virtualenv is a tool for creating isolated virtual python environments. Prior to 21.14.9, ViaTemplateActivator._generate() removes an existing output only when Path.exists() is true, allowing a dangling symlink to survive and redirect generated activation content, while PyEnvCfg.write() opens pyvenv.cfg without first replacing an existing symbolic or hard link. Another local account that prepares final entries inside the destination can therefore cause environment creation to create or overwrite files outside the requested tree with constrained virtualenv-generated content and the invoking user's permissions. The destination parent must remain controlled by the environment owner during creation; concurrent parent-directory replacement is a separate concern. This issue is fixed in version 21.14.9.

Scores

CVSSScoreVectorSource
3.14.5 MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:LGitHub_M

Weaknesses

  • CWE-59 Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')

Affected Products

ProductVersions
virtualenvpypa
  • < 21.14.9Affected

References

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