Disclosure summary
virtualenv is a tool for creating isolated virtual python environments. Prior to 21.7.13, the generated activate (bash and zsh) and activate.fish scripts place values already escaped by shlex.quote inside an additional quoted context. In the bash and zsh script, a crafted virtual environment path reaches __VIRTUAL_ENV__ when a relocated environment's recorded directory is absent; in the fish script, crafted Tcl or Tk library paths reach __TCL_LIBRARY__ or __TK_LIBRARY__. The surplus quotes can terminate the data-only quoted run and leave shell metacharacters parsed as commands when a user sources the activation script, allowing code execution with that user's privileges. This issue is fixed in version 21.7.13.
Source-reported weakness categories
CWE-78
Source-specific records & product guidance
Sources retain their own attribution and scoring. Follow the original record to confirm affected versions, fixed releases, and configuration conditions.
GitHub Reviewed Security Advisories · GHSA-p58f-9548-mpm2
Open original source · Updated Oct 01, 2026
virtualenv bash and fish activation scripts execute commands embedded in paths
Source severity: HIGH / 0
| Ecosystem | Package | Affected range | First patched |
|---|---|---|---|
| pip | virtualenv | 21.7.13 |
NIST National Vulnerability Database · NVD-CVE-2026-102925
Open original source · Updated Sep 30, 2026
Only CPE matches marked vulnerable=true are indexed. AND/OR platform conditions must be checked in the original NVD record.
Original records & references
PUBLISHED 2026-09-29T17:17:18-04:00
MODIFIED 2026-09-30T16:17:25-04:00
INGESTED 2026-10-06T11:43:05-04:00