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)
HIGH 7.1EPSS 0.3%
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.
- Affected
- pypa · virtualenv
- CVSS v4.0 GITHUB
- 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/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X - CVSS v4.0 GitHub
- 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 - EPSS
- 0.27% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, 19th percentile
- Published
- 2026-10-23
Proof-of-concept exploits (1)
CVE references
- pypa/virtualenv/commit/3598e201f6f044e389136b2347a8a919ac03c5f4REFERENCE
- pypa/virtualenv/pull/3466REFERENCE
- pypa/virtualenv/releases/tag/21.14.13REFERENCE
- pypa/virtualenv/security/advisories/GHSA-cx6f-vjhg-g3ccREFERENCE