CVE-2026-113721 MEDIUM

CVE-2026-113721: virtualenv: Generated files can follow existing destination links

Vendor Pypa
Product virtualenv
Weakness CWE-59
Published October 20, 2026
Last update October 20, 2026

CVSS base score

4.5/10
Attack vector Local
Attack complexity High
Privileges required Low
User interaction None
Confidentiality Low
Integrity Low

CVSS vector

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L

What the vulnerability does

01Description

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.

Key dates

02Disclosure timeline

October 20, 2026 CVE published