CVE-2026-115586

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.

CVSS 4.0

7.1CVSS: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

0.2% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days; higher than 9% of CVEs (scores of 2026-10-25)

CWE

CWE-78

Published

2026-10-23

Modified

2026-10-23

Record from

the NVD, synced 2026-10-24

Packages (OSV)

References

• https://github.com/pypa/virtualenv/commit/3598e201f6f044e389136b2347a8a919ac03c5f4
• https://github.com/pypa/virtualenv/pull/3466
• https://github.com/pypa/virtualenv/releases/tag/21.14.13
• https://github.com/pypa/virtualenv/security/advisories/GHSA-cx6f-vjhg-g3cc

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