Python virtualenv: Prior to 21.7.13, the generated activate (bash and zsh) and activate.fish scripts place values
Affects python-virtualenvSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.8 High · fixed in 21.7.13 : patch python-virtualenv soon.
Data as of 9 Nov 2026, 13:53 UTC
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 21.7.13
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 29 Sep 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponized: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by 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 9 Nov 2026.
What to do
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Ubuntu 26.10python-virtualenvpkg:deb/ubuntu/python-virtualenv?arch=source&distro=stonkingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSpython-virtualenvpkg:deb/ubuntu/python-virtualenv?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu Pro 20.04 LTSpython-virtualenvpkg:deb/ubuntu/python-virtualenv?arch=source&distro=esm-apps/focalOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 18.04 LTSpython-virtualenvpkg:deb/ubuntu/python-virtualenv?arch=source&distro=bionicOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 16.04 LTSpython-virtualenvpkg:deb/ubuntu/python-virtualenv?arch=source&distro=xenialOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 14.04 LTSpython-virtualenvpkg:deb/ubuntu/python-virtualenv?arch=source&distro=trustyOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
AI-suggested
Upgrade python-virtualenv to version 21.7.13 or later, where this issue is fixed.
Description
Python virtualenv versions prior to 21.7.13 contain a vulnerability in the generated activation scripts (bash, zsh, and fish). These scripts improperly double-quote values already escaped by shlex.quote, which can lead to shell metacharacters being interpreted as commands when the activation script is sourced. This allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code with the user's privileges. The issue is resolved in version 21.7.13.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-102925 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-102925 (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/pypa/virtualenv/commit/4d5a105ec2a2723b8c7f4571bb68f4f71d01e3f6 (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/pypa/virtualenv/pull/3252 (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/pypa/virtualenv/releases/tag/21.7.13 (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/pypa/virtualenv/security/advisories/GHSA-p58f-9548-mpm2 (opens in a new tab)