CVE-2026-115586virtualenv: Bash activator leaves the --prompt value unescaped in PS1 when promptvars is off, so prompt expansion later executes it (regression in 21.14.9)
Updated under an hour ago ()
Does this affect you?
It affects pypa virtualenv. Add what you run to find out whether that includes you.
EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 0.20%, higher than 10% of scored CVEs.
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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
- 7.1 HIGH (v4.0, CNA)CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:H/AT:P/PR:N/UI:A/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N
- Weakness (CWE)
- CWE-78
- Known exploited
- Not in CISA's KEV catalog
- EPSS (exploitation in the next 30 days)
- 0.20% (percentile 10)
- Assigned by
- GitHub_M
- NVD analysis
- Awaiting Analysis
- Record last updated
- Oct 23, 2026
- First seen by InfoSec Signals
- Oct 23, 2026
The CVE record on cve.org NVD's entry
The CVE record is authoritative. Products marked “from the name” were identified from the CNA's free-text names, not a CPE, and are matched less certainly. This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD.