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Full vulnerability report · 2026
CVE-2026-102937High confidence

virtualenv: Command injection via --prompt in activate.bat (batch activator)

pypa · virtualenv

Official source article: GitHub GHSA-X78J-V8H9-3J2Q ↗. Check the applicable product and release in the original source.

7.3HighCVSS 4.0
Recommended action
Patch only the product branches with a verified fix

High technical severity; prioritise exposed affected systems while verifying vendor guidance. Verified remediation exists for at least one product or source, but 41 structured product or package states remain unresolved. Apply remediation only to the exact product branch confirmed by its source.

Fix availability varies by product
R
Operational reassessment

Published severity in operational context

Open reassessment dashboard →
Published severityHighOperational priority:High, unchanged from published severity.unchanged

Evidence used

  • No CISA KEV confirmation is currently recorded.
  • EPSS is 0.14% for the current model date.

Compensating controls

  • Validate the affected product branch and deploy the verified fixed release.
  • Restrict local access and enforce least privilege on affected hosts.
  • Monitor vendor guidance and exploitation sources for a material change.

Verification

  1. Confirm that the asset runs pypa virtualenv and falls inside the recorded affected range.
  2. Verify the installed build against the product-specific fixed version after deployment.
  3. Validate exposure, authentication requirements and compensating controls in the actual environment.
  4. Reopen this reassessment when CVSS, KEV, EPSS, exploit evidence or remediation changes.
Mitigation target: Within 30 daysRemediation target: Within 180 days

This automated reassessment organises public evidence. It does not know asset exposure, business impact or control effectiveness and does not replace CVSS or a human risk decision.

Cross-source reconciliation

Remediation availability differs by product scope

Verified remediation exists for at least one product or source, but 41 structured product or package states remain unresolved. Apply remediation only to the exact product branch confirmed by its source.

Distribution package intelligence

Release-specific package status

Debian, ubuntu findings are scoped to the named distribution, release and source package. An absent finding does not mean a package is unaffected.

5 package states
Repository candidate not checked

A published vendor fix does not prove that a matching update is enabled and installable on a particular asset. Confirm the local package candidate before scheduling remediation.

Distribution releaseSource packageVendor stateFixed versionEvidence
Debian trixietrixie · sourcepython-virtualenvNot affectedDebian marks this release not affected (fixed-version marker 0).Not published in this feedDebian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 7 Oct 2026
Debian bookwormbookworm · sourcepython-virtualenvNot affectedDebian marks this release not affected (fixed-version marker 0).Not published in this feedDebian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 7 Oct 2026
Debian forkyforky · sourcepython-virtualenvNot affectedDebian marks this release not affected (fixed-version marker 0).Not published in this feedDebian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 7 Oct 2026
Debian sidsid · sourcepython-virtualenvNot affectedDebian marks this release not affected (fixed-version marker 0).Not published in this feedDebian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 7 Oct 2026
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSnoble · esm-appspython-virtualenvUnder evaluationCanonical reports that the package might be affected and still needs evaluation or fixing.Not published in this feedCanonical Ubuntu Security ↗Source updated 7 Oct 2026
Open-source package ranges3 source-attributed ranges

These OSV and GitHub advisory ranges apply only to the named package and ecosystem. A listed fixed version is not a universal product patch or proof that an update is installed.

Ecosystem and packageAffected rangeFirst fixed versionEvidence
PyPIvirtualenvECOSYSTEM: introduced 0; fixed 21.7.1221.7.12OSV record ↗aggregator derived · 6 Oct 2026
PyPIvirtualenvECOSYSTEM: introduced 0; fixed 21.7.1221.7.12OSV record ↗source linked ecosystem record · 6 Oct 2026
pipvirtualenv<= 21.7.1121.7.12GitHub advisory ↗upstream repository advisory · 1 Oct 2026
Direct vendor intelligence

Authoritative vendor CSAF and VEX advisories

Structured product status and remediation from the issuing vendor. Product-state explanations are always visible; large lists can be searched or downloaded.

2 current
CVE-2026-102937 · CSAF 2.0 · revision 3 · finalRed Hat Product Securityvirtualenv: virtualenv: Arbitrary code execution via unescaped prompt in Windows activation script
41 known affected

The vendor explicitly identifies these products as affected by this CVE.

  • ansible-automation-platform-25/ansible-dev-tools-rhel8 as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2
  • ansible-automation-platform-26/ansible-dev-tools-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2
  • ansible-automation-platform-26/controller-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2
  • ansible-automation-platform-26/eda-controller-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2
  • ansible-automation-platform-26/lightspeed-chatbot-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2
  • ansible-automation-platform-27/ansible-dev-tools-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2
  • ansible-automation-platform-27/ansible-devspaces-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2
  • ansible-automation-platform-27/controller-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2
  • ansible-automation-platform-27/eda-controller-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2
  • ansible-automation-platform-tech-preview/ansible-devspaces-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2
  • python-virtualenv.src as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2
  • python3.12-virtualenv.src as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2
Summary
A flaw was found in virtualenv. An attacker can achieve arbitrary code execution by supplying specially crafted prompt values or environment configurations containing unescaped quote characters when generating Windows virtual environments. When a user executes the resulting activation script, the injected commands run with the privileges of that user.
Remediation
Affected
CVE-2026-102937 · CSAF 2.0 · revision 2 · interimSUSE Product Security TeamCVE-2026-102937
78 known not affected

The vendor explicitly states that these products are not affected by this CVE.

  • python-virtualenv as component of SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 15 SP7
  • python311-virtualenv as component of SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 15 SP7
  • python-virtualenv as component of SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP1
  • python3-virtualenv as component of SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP1
  • python-virtualenv as component of SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP2
  • python3-virtualenv as component of SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP2
  • python-virtualenv as component of SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP3
  • python3-virtualenv as component of SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP3
  • python-virtualenv as component of SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP4-LTSS
  • python3-virtualenv as component of SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP4-LTSS
  • python311-virtualenv as component of SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP4-LTSS
  • python-virtualenv as component of SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP4
Summary
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.
Remediation
No remediation text is recorded.
Optional official sources

National CERT insights
?CERT means Computer Emergency Response Team; CSIRT is the closely related term Computer Security Incident Response Team.

Choose official national sources for this report. Each advisory shows its original language. Your selection is remembered on this device and included in shared links.

Official European source

ENISA European Vulnerability Database

Official EUVD identifiers, advisory evidence and known-exploited context. Missing fields are not treated as evidence of low risk.

1 current
ENISA EUVD identifier

EUVD-2026-89464

No EUVD known-exploited evidence

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.

EUVD state
Present in the current official mapping
Known exploitation
Not present in the current ENISA EUVD known-exploited dataset. This is not proof of no exploitation.
ENISA score
7.3 · CVSS 4.0
Advisory evidence
No linked advisory details stored yet
Recommended actionPatch only the product branches with a verified fix

High technical severity; prioritise exposed affected systems while verifying vendor guidance. Verified remediation exists for at least one product or source, but 41 structured product or package states remain unresolved. Apply remediation only to the exact product branch confirmed by its source.

Fix availability varies by product
01

What, why and how

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.

What

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.

Why

Untrusted input is incorporated into an operating-system command without safe parameter handling.

How

An attacker operating through local access may attempt exploitation when the stated preconditions are met. If successful, the issue may cause the confidentiality, integrity or availability impact described by the vendor.

What

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.

Why

Untrusted input is incorporated into an operating-system command without safe parameter handling.

How

An attacker operating through local access may attempt exploitation when the stated preconditions are met. If successful, the issue may cause the confidentiality, integrity or availability impact described by the vendor.

02

Exploit reality and attack path

CVSS severity, EPSS forecast probability, public exploit material and CISA-confirmed exploitation are separate signals.

Observed exploitation
?Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.
No confirmed evidence

No CISA KEV match was present at the last successful refresh. This means no confirmation from that source, not proof of no exploitation.

Public PoC / exploit material
?Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.
None recorded

No exploit-tagged reference or CISA SSVC proof-of-concept state is currently recorded. Research may still exist outside the structured feeds.

Likely attack path
local access → Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection') → cause the confidentiality, integrity or availability impact described by the vendor
Attack surface
Local
Privileges required
None: unauthenticated exploitation is possible
User interaction
Passive interaction required
Attack complexity
Low: no specialised conditions are recorded
Security boundary
Not a CVSS 4.0 base metric
Weakness
?CWE means Common Weakness Enumeration: a standard category for the underlying weakness.
CWE-78 ↗

CWE-78: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection'). The product constructs all or part of an OS command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended OS command when it is sent to a downstream component.

CVSS vector
?CVSS means Common Vulnerability Scoring System. The vector records the metric values used to calculate technical severity.
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

Common Vulnerability Scoring System 4.0: the compact vector below is decoded into plain language.

AVLocalAttack vector: The attacker needs local access to the vulnerable system.ACLowAttack complexity: No specialised conditions are required beyond attacker-controlled input.ATPresentAttack requirements: A particular deployment or execution condition must be present.PRNonePrivileges required: The attacker does not need an account or existing privileges.UIPassiveUser interaction: A user must unknowingly interact with the vulnerable system.VCHighVulnerable-system confidentiality: A successful attack can cause a major loss.VIHighVulnerable-system integrity: A successful attack can cause a major loss.VAHighVulnerable-system availability: A successful attack can cause a major loss.SCNoneSubsequent-system confidentiality: No direct loss is represented by this metric.SINoneSubsequent-system integrity: No direct loss is represented by this metric.SANoneSubsequent-system availability: No direct loss is represented by this metric.
Post-exploitation / living off the land
The issue can support a local privilege or sandbox boundary transition; normal system utilities may then be available in the gained context.
UnauthenticatedCWE-78
A

Official authority intelligence

Only matched European and national findings are included. Language selectors and unavailable sources are omitted.

ENISA EUVD · EUVD-2026-89464Official EUVD mapping

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.

Official EUVD record ↗
03

Patch and workaround

Operational remediation based on structured source evidence.

Status
?Patch availability is based on structured fixed-version fields and authoritative update references. If no fix is verified, check the vendor advisory before making a change.
Fix availability varies by product
Affected
Fixed
21.7.12.
Action
Use the product-specific evidence above. Patch only products with a verified fixed release, and keep every affected or under-investigation state without a matching fix in the remediation queue.
Workaround
No verified workaround is recorded. Limit untrusted access and use least privilege until authoritative guidance is available.
04

Evidence and provenance

Published 29 Sept 2026 · Last source change 2 Oct 2026, 12:28 UTC · CWE-78 · Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')

CVE recordCVE.org · 5.2
CVSS sourceCNA
EPSS source
?The date BlackTree first stored a score for this CVE from the daily FIRST EPSS feed.
FIRST · tracked since 2026-09-30
European sourceENISA EUVD · EUVD-2026-89464
Product sourceVendor CSAF · Red Hat Product Security
Remediation sourceVendor CSAF · Red Hat Product Security
CWE sourceCNA
NVD statusNVD awaiting enrichment

Core structured fields are present and their contributing authorities are shown above.

Material change intelligence

What changed after publication

View recent updates ↗
  1. Affected versionsThe structured affected or fixed version information changed.
    Before
    ansible-automation-platform-25/ansible-dev-tools-rhel8 as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2; ansible-automation-platform-26/ansible-dev-tools-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2; ansible-automation-platform-26/controller-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2; ansible-automation-platform-26/eda-controller-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2; ansible-automation-platform-26/lightspeed-chatbot-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2; ansible-automation-platform-27/ansible-dev-tools-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2; ansible-automation-platform-27/ansible-devspaces-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2; ansible-automation-platform-27/controller-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2; ansible-automation-platform-27/eda-controller-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2; ansible-automation-platform-tech-preview/ansible-devspaces-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2; python-virtualenv.src as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2; python3.11-virtualenv.src as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2; python3.12-virtualenv.src as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2; ubi8/python-36 as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8; rhai-early-access/docling-serve-cuda-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-feature-server-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-kserve-agent-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-kserve-controller-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-kserve-router-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-kserve-storage-initializer-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-pipeline-runtime-datascience-cpu-py312-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-pipeline-runtime-pytorch-cuda-py312-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-pipeline-runtime-pytorch-rocm-py312-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-pipeline-runtime-tensorflow-cuda-py312-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-pipeline-runtime-tensorflow-rocm-py312-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-ta-lmes-job-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-training-rocm64-torch28-py312-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-trustyai-nemo-guardrails-server-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-workbench-codeserver-datascience-cpu-py312-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-workbench-jupyter-datascience-cpu-py312-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); and 12 more
    After
    ansible-automation-platform-25/ansible-dev-tools-rhel8 as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2; ansible-automation-platform-26/ansible-dev-tools-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2; ansible-automation-platform-26/controller-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2; ansible-automation-platform-26/eda-controller-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2; ansible-automation-platform-26/lightspeed-chatbot-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2; ansible-automation-platform-27/ansible-dev-tools-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2; ansible-automation-platform-27/ansible-devspaces-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2; ansible-automation-platform-27/controller-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2; ansible-automation-platform-27/eda-controller-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2; ansible-automation-platform-tech-preview/ansible-devspaces-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2; python-virtualenv.src as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2; python3.12-virtualenv.src as a component of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2; ubi8/python-36 as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8; rhai-early-access/docling-serve-cuda-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-feature-server-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-kserve-agent-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-kserve-controller-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-kserve-router-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-kserve-storage-initializer-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-pipeline-runtime-datascience-cpu-py312-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-pipeline-runtime-pytorch-cuda-py312-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-pipeline-runtime-pytorch-rocm-py312-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-pipeline-runtime-tensorflow-cuda-py312-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-pipeline-runtime-tensorflow-rocm-py312-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-ta-lmes-job-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-training-rocm64-torch28-py312-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-trustyai-nemo-guardrails-server-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-workbench-codeserver-datascience-cpu-py312-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-workbench-jupyter-datascience-cpu-py312-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); rhoai/odh-workbench-jupyter-pytorch-cuda-py312-rhel9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI); and 11 more
    Red Hat Product Security ↗
  2. ENISA EUVD mappingEUVD-2026-89464 was added to the official ENISA EUVD mapping for this CVE.
    Before
    not recorded
    After
    {"euvdId":"EUVD-2026-89464"}
    ENISA EUVD ↗
  3. Catalogue recordCVE added to the BlackTree catalogue.
    CNA ↗
Material fields only · duplicate refreshes suppressed · history retained for the configured operational retention period
CVE published
Fixed release or patch reference recorded
ENISA EUVD · EUVD-2026-89464↗Vendor CSAF · Red Hat Product Security↗CVE authority or vendor reference · GitHub GHSA-X78J-V8H9-3J2Q↗Official CVE record (CNA and ADP data)↗NVD record↗
Technical terms and abbreviations used in this report
CVE
Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures: the public identifier for one disclosed vulnerability.
CVSS
Common Vulnerability Scoring System: a technical severity framework; it is not patching priority by itself.
EPSS
Exploit Prediction Scoring System: FIRST's estimate of the probability that exploitation activity will be observed in the next 30 days; it is a forecast, not confirmation.
CWE
Common Weakness Enumeration: the standard category describing the underlying software or hardware weakness.
CNA
CVE Numbering Authority: an organisation authorised to assign and publish CVE records.
CISA ADP
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Authorized Data Publisher: structured enrichment added to a CVE record.
NVD
National Vulnerability Database: NIST's enrichment service for CVE records.
CERT / CSIRT
A computer security incident response team that publishes warnings or coordinates incident response.
PoC
Proof of concept: public material that demonstrates or helps reproduce exploitation.
CSAF
Common Security Advisory Framework: a machine-readable format for security advisories.
LoTL
Living off the land: abuse of legitimate tools or system functions during an attack.
Free version - for non-commercial use only.CVE-2026-102937 · cve.blacktree.nl