CVE-2026-115586
virtualenv: Bash activator leaves the --prompt value unescaped in PS1 when promptvars is off, so prompt expansion later executes it (regression in 21.14.9)
- State
- Published
- Severity
- 7.1 High
- Published
- Oct 23, 2026
- Updated
- Oct 23, 2026
- Reserved
- Oct 22, 2026
Description
virtualenv is a tool for creating isolated virtual python environments. From 21.14.9 until 21.14.13, the bash bin/activate script can copy an attacker-controlled --prompt value into PS1 without escaping dollar signs or backticks when both promptvars and POSIX mode are disabled during activation. Re-enabling promptvars, running set -o posix, or starting an interactive child bash that inherits the exported PS1 can then expand command substitution in the stored VIRTUAL_ENV_PROMPT value and execute commands as the user who activates the environment. This issue is fixed in version 21.14.13.
Scores
| CVSS | Score | Vector | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0 | 7.1 High | CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:H/AT:P/PR:N/UI:A/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N | GitHub_M |
Weaknesses
- CWE-78 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')
Affected Products
| Product | Versions |
|---|---|
virtualenvpypa |
|
References
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