CVE-2026-113716

virtualenv: Builtin creation follows linked environment directories

Published Oct 20, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 4.5 Medium EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
virtualenv is a tool for creating isolated virtual python environments. Prior to 21.14.9, the builtin creator calls ensure_dir() for executable, library, and package directories, and ensure_dir() accepts an existing symlink to a directory because exists() follows it. Interpreter creation, seed installation, and activation generation then write through the linked parent outside the requested destination when another local account prepared the tree and the invoking user can access the target. The --clear option removes the planted tree first, while ordinary creation reaches it; arbitrary attacker-selected output bytes are not established. This issue is fixed in version 21.14.9.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Github GHSA Github GHSA GHSA-cw65-gx24-rc82 virtualenv: Builtin creation follows linked environment directories
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Pypa
Pypa virtualenv
Vendors & Products Pypa
Pypa virtualenv
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description virtualenv is a tool for creating isolated virtual python environments. Prior to 21.14.9, the builtin creator calls ensure_dir() for executable, library, and package directories, and ensure_dir() accepts an existing symlink to a directory because exists() follows it. Interpreter creation, seed installation, and activation generation then write through the linked parent outside the requested destination when another local account prepared the tree and the invoking user can access the target. The --clear option removes the planted tree first, while ordinary creation reaches it; arbitrary attacker-selected output bytes are not established. This issue is fixed in version 21.14.9.
Title virtualenv: Builtin creation follows linked environment directories
Weaknesses CWE-59
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 4.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
GitHub_M
Published
Updated
Oct 21, 2026, 3:52 PM
Reserved
Oct 20, 2026, 4:03 PM
Status
Awaiting Analysis
Published
Oct 20, 2026, 8:17 PM
Modified
Oct 22, 2026, 4:47 PM
Severity
Moderate
Public date
Oct 20, 2026, 7:18 PM