Description
virtualenv is a tool for creating isolated virtual python environments. Prior to 21.7.12, BatchActivator.quote() returns prompt text unchanged before activate.bat inserts it into a cmd.exe set "VAR=value" statement. An attacker who influences --prompt, VIRTUALENV_PROMPT, or the corresponding configuration value can include a double quote that closes the assignment and leaves following cmd.exe operators as executable syntax. When a user activates the generated Windows environment, the injected commands run with that user's privileges. This issue is fixed in version 21.7.12.
Published: 2026-09-29
Score: 7.3 High
EPSS: < 1% Very Low
KEV: No
Impact: n/a
Action: n/a
AI Analysis

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Remediation

No vendor fix or workaround currently provided.

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Tracking

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Advisories
Source ID Title
Github GHSA Github GHSA GHSA-x78j-v8h9-3j2q virtualenv: Command injection via --prompt in activate.bat (batch activator)
History

Sat, 03 Oct 2026 00:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

threat_severity

Important


Fri, 02 Oct 2026 13:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'yes', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}


Wed, 30 Sep 2026 21:00:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Pypa
Pypa virtualenv
Python
Python virtualenv
Vendors & Products Pypa
Pypa virtualenv
Python
Python virtualenv

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 21:00:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description virtualenv is a tool for creating isolated virtual python environments. Prior to 21.7.12, BatchActivator.quote() returns prompt text unchanged before activate.bat inserts it into a cmd.exe set "VAR=value" statement. An attacker who influences --prompt, VIRTUALENV_PROMPT, or the corresponding configuration value can include a double quote that closes the assignment and leaves following cmd.exe operators as executable syntax. When a user activates the generated Windows environment, the injected commands run with that user's privileges. This issue is fixed in version 21.7.12.
Title virtualenv: Command injection via --prompt in activate.bat (batch activator)
Weaknesses CWE-78
References
Metrics cvssV4_0

{'score': 7.3, 'vector': 'CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:P/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N'}


Subscriptions

Pypa Virtualenv
Python Virtualenv
cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: GitHub_M

Published:

Updated: 2026-10-02T12:28:15.446Z

Reserved: 2026-09-29T20:24:43.340Z

Link: CVE-2026-102937

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2026-10-02T12:28:08.381Z

cve-icon NVD

Status : Awaiting Analysis

Published: 2026-09-29T21:17:18.893

Modified: 2026-10-02T13:17:35.440

Link: CVE-2026-102937

cve-icon Redhat

Severity : Important

Publid Date: 2026-09-29T20:56:13Z

Links: CVE-2026-102937 - Bugzilla

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-09-30T20:35:31Z

Weaknesses
  • CWE-78

    Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')