CVE-2026-113721

virtualenv: Generated files can follow existing destination links

MEDIUM
4.5
CVSS Score
Published: October 20, 2026 at 07:46 PM UTC
Updated: October 28, 2026 at 05:17 PM UTC
1 product affected across 1 vendorVirtualenv

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Severity
MEDIUM4.5
Exploit prediction
EPSS 0.1%
SSVC
No known exploit

Description

virtualenv is a tool for creating isolated virtual python environments. Prior to 21.14.9, ViaTemplateActivator._generate() removes an existing output only when Path.exists() is true, allowing a dangling symlink to survive and redirect generated activation content, while PyEnvCfg.write() opens pyvenv.cfg without first replacing an existing symbolic or hard link. Another local account that prepares final entries inside the destination can therefore cause environment creation to create or overwrite files outside the requested tree with constrained virtualenv-generated content and the invoking user's permissions. The destination parent must remain controlled by the environment owner during creation; concurrent parent-directory replacement is a separate concern. This issue is fixed in version 21.14.9.

Affected

Our own answer: ranges merged, affected separated from platform-only, with confidence and review flags.

v < 21.14.9

Remediation

No guide yet

No remediation guidance has been written for this CVE yet, and no fixed version or vendor advisory is recorded against it.

SSVC — Action Prioritization

SSVCNo known exploitNot automatablePartial impact

SSVC signals action urgency (what to patch first), separate from CVSS which measures severity.

CVSS

4.5MEDIUMGitHub_M
Attack Vector
LOCAL
Complexity
HIGH
Privileges
LOW
User Interaction
NONE
Scope
UNCHANGED
Confidentiality
LOW
Integrity
LOW
Availability
LOW
Vector?

Quick Info

StatusUNDERGOING ANALYSIS
CWE
CWE-59

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