Description
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.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|---|
| pypa | virtualenv | >= 21.14.9, < 21.14.13 | — |
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 26.10 | python-virtualenv | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 26.04 LTS | python-virtualenv | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | python-virtualenv | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | python-virtualenv | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | python-virtualenv | No fix yet | — |
Show 3 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu Pro 24.04 LTS | python-virtualenv | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu Pro 22.04 LTS | python-virtualenv | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu Pro 20.04 LTS | python-virtualenv | No fix yet | — |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | python-virtualenv | 21.15.1-1.1 | openSUSE-SU-2026:12372-1 |
Amazon Linux
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Linux 2023 | python3-virtualenv | 20.4.0-3.amzn2023.0.6 | ALAS2023-2026-3409 |
| Amazon Linux 2023 | python3.13-virtualenv | 20.21.1-1.amzn2023.0.5 | ALAS2023-2026-3410 |
| Amazon Linux 2 | python-virtualenv | 15.1.0-4.amzn2.0.1 | ALAS2-2026-4085 |
Wolfi
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wolfi rolling | py3-cassandra-medusa | 0.31.0-r7 | — |
Affected packages
| Ecosystem | Package | Affected | Fixed | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PyPI | virtualenv | >= 21.14.9, < 21.14.13 | 21.14.13 | GHSA-cx6f-vjhg-g3cc |
Advisories 4
- ALAS2023-2026-3409 Important: python-virtualenv security update (Amazon Linux 2023) Amazon Linux Security Center (ALAS) · Nov 9, 2026
- ALAS2023-2026-3410 Important: python3.13-virtualenv security update (Amazon Linux 2023) Amazon Linux Security Center (ALAS) · Nov 9, 2026
- ALAS2-2026-4085 Important: python-virtualenv security update (Amazon Linux 2) Amazon Linux Security Center (ALAS) · Nov 9, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2026:12372-1 python313-virtualenv-21.15.1-1.1 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Oct 31, 2026