Skip to main content
CVE-2026-115586VulnerabilityPublished Updated

Python virtualenv: From 21.14.9 until 21.14.13, the bash bin/activate script can copy an attacker-controlled --prompt

Affects python-virtualenvSource GCVE Database

0
Authoritative record:CVE-2026-115586· High 7.1

Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.1 High · fixed in 21.14.13 : patch python-virtualenv soon.

Data as of 28 Oct 2026, 22:31 UTC

CVSS 4.0 base score
7.1High
How severe the flaw is on the 0–10 CVSS scale.
Patch
Available – fixed in 21.14.13
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

Exploitation evidence

  1. Disclosed: evidence found.

    CVE published 23 Oct 2026

  2. Detectable: no evidence on record.

    No public nuclei template indexed

  3. Weaponised: no evidence on record.

    No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB

  4. Exploited in the wild: no evidence on record.

    Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation

  5. Observed by OffSeq Mirage: no evidence on record.

    No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors

A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 26 Oct 2026.

What to do

Affected software

ProductAffectedFixed in
Ubuntu 26.10python-virtualenvpkg:deb/ubuntu/python-virtualenv?arch=source&distro=stonkingOther threatsAffected
  • =20.36.1+ds-1
  • =21.4.1+ds-1
  • =21.5.1+ds-1
Fixed in–
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSpython-virtualenvpkg:deb/ubuntu/python-virtualenv?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threatsAffected
  • 20.31.2+ds-1 – 20.36.1+ds-1
4 affected builds
Fixed in–
Ubuntu Pro 24.04 LTSpython-virtualenvpkg:deb/ubuntu/python-virtualenv?arch=source&distro=esm-apps/nobleOther threatsAffected
  • 20.24.1+ds-1 – 20.25.0+ds-2ubuntu0.1~esm1
6 affected builds
Fixed in–
Ubuntu Pro 22.04 LTSpython-virtualenvpkg:deb/ubuntu/python-virtualenv?arch=source&distro=esm-apps/jammyOther threatsAffected
  • 20.4.6+ds-2 – 20.13.0+ds-2ubuntu0.1~esm1
6 affected builds
Fixed in–
Ubuntu Pro 20.04 LTSpython-virtualenvpkg:deb/ubuntu/python-virtualenv?arch=source&distro=esm-apps/focalOther threatsAffected
  • 15.1.0+ds-2 – 20.0.17-1ubuntu0.4+esm1
8 affected builds
Fixed in–
Ubuntu 18.04 LTSpython-virtualenvpkg:deb/ubuntu/python-virtualenv?arch=source&distro=bionicOther threatsAffected
  • =15.1.0+ds-1
  • =15.1.0+ds-1.1
Fixed in–

Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.

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.

References

Community reviews

Loading reviews…