CVE-2026-113720: virtualenv: Seeded files retain permissions from an older cache
Noroxi assessment
Priority: Monitor (action score 17/100)
- The sources we track (CISA KEV, Exploit-DB, Metasploit, Nuclei, GitHub) show no public exploit code or exploitation in the wild.
- Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days: 0.13% (FIRST EPSS).
- Someone with local access to the system can trigger it. A low-privileged account is enough. Special conditions such as timing or configuration are required.
- Fixed version: pypa virtualenv 21.14.9.
Low priority for now. Upgrade to pypa virtualenv 21.14.9 or later.
Generated automatically from the record's data: CVSS (NVD and CNA), CISA KEV and SSVC, FIRST EPSS, exploit sources, fixed versions. How we calculate it
Primary sources: NVD · CVE.org · FIRST EPSS
virtualenv is a tool for creating isolated virtual python environments. Prior to 21.14.9, the app-data copy seeder uses shutil.copy() to copy cached package files into later environments, causing cached source modes to override the current run's umask. A cache populated under a permissive umask can therefore produce files writable by another local account in a later traversable environment, allowing package code such as pip/__init__.py to be modified and executed by the environment owner. The attacker cannot force the earlier umask, and a private destination parent prevents access. This issue is fixed in version 21.14.9.
- Published
- Oct 20, 2026
- Updated
- Oct 22, 2026
- EPSS
- 0.1% · 2th percentile
- CWE
- CWE-732
Report tools
Action score
17
Low priority for now.
- CVSS
- 17 / 40 · 4.4 / 10
- CISA KEV
- 0 / 30 · Not listed
- EPSS
- 0 / 30 · 0.1%
CISA SSVC decision
- Exploitation
- none
- Automatable
- no
- Technical impact
- partial
Vulnrichment: CISA's decision-tree inputs.
CNA vs NVD score
- NVD
- —
- CNA · GitHub_M
- 4.4
- NVD has not scored this yet; the score shown is the CNA’s.
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:H/AT:P/PR:L/UI:P/VC:L/VI:H/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N
The score given by the assigning authority versus NVD’s independent score. A gap means the severity is contested.
Get told when this record changes
- Not in KEV: no record of exploitation in the wild
- No public exploit code on record
- A fix has been released
If any of these changes, we'll tell you in the daily email digest.
Is your version affected? Check itNoroxi analysis
What does it mean in your environment?
The assessment above is generated automatically from the record's data; it doesn't know your environment. Our team verifies on your systems whether this vulnerability is actually exploitable and which mitigation is enough.
We use this product, ask for helpAffected systems
Is your version affected?
Pick the product and type the version you run. It's compared with this record's version ranges in your browser; the version isn't sent anywhere.
—
Versions reported by the vendor
Affected version ranges reported by the assigning authority (GitHub_M). Independent of NVD's CPE analysis and usually ahead of it.
pypa virtualenv
- < 21.14.9affected
Package-level exposure
OSV and GitHub Advisory data: ecosystem, package and range. SBOM matching uses this table.
| Ecosystem | Package | Affected range | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian:12 | python-virtualenv | from 0 | — |
| openSUSE:Tumbleweed | python-virtualenv | before 21.15.1-1.1 | 21.15.1-1.1 |
| PyPI | virtualenv | before 21.14.9 | 21.14.9 |
Same product
pypa: all recordsOther highest-scoring records for the same primary product.
- CVE-2026-113776virtualenv activation scripts run code from a path that contains a placeholder name31Monitor
- CVE-2026-113732virtualenv activate.fish runs commands from a path or prompt with a backslash before a quote31Monitor
- CVE-2026-113726virtualenv activate runs commands from the environment name in zsh with PROMPT_SUBST31Monitor
Published before and after this one in the same product
- ← EarlierCVE-2026-113718Oct 20, 2026 · virtualenv: Xonsh activation literals depend on the script decoding codec28Monitor
- ← EarlierCVE-2026-113719Oct 20, 2026 · virtualenv: Seed replacement does not contain metadata deletion paths18Monitor
- Later →CVE-2026-113721Oct 20, 2026 · virtualenv: Generated files can follow existing destination links18Monitor
Remediation
Which version to upgrade to
Fix versions compiled from the vendor, package registries and Microsoft. Verify the vendor's note before upgrading.
| Product / package | Fixed version | Source |
|---|---|---|
| pypa virtualenv | 21.14.9 · description | Vendor (CNA) |
| opensuse:python-virtualenv | 21.15.1-1.1 · openSUSE:Tumbleweed | Package registry (OSV) |
| PyPI:virtualenv | 21.14.9 | Package registry (OSV) |
Exploit status
No known public exploit
No public exploit has been observed yet. That doesn't mean you're safe, only that the bar is a little higher.
Research context
For pentesters and researchers: attack profile, score disagreement, timeline, patch commits, credits, variant and chain candidates, bug bounty scope. All derived from existing data; no exploit code.
Timeline
From publication to today: proof of concept, Metasploit module, CISA KEV and fix record. Dates are as reported by the sources.
- Published
- Fix recordedsame day
- TodayNov 14, 2026+24 d
FIRST EPSS daily score; only changes of 0.01 or more are recorded (step chart).
Patch and commit links
Commit, PR and diff links among the references. A starting point for patch-diffing and variant hunting; fixes, not exploits.
Not on record for this CVE: researcher credit · variant or chain candidate · public bounty program.
Technical details
Attack conditions
- Someone with local access to the system can trigger it.
- A low-privileged account is enough.
- Special conditions such as timing or configuration are required.
If successful
- Confidentiality
- Integrity
- Availability
- Attack vector
- Local
- Attack complexity
- High
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- P
- Scope
- X
Weakness class (CWE)
CWE-732 · Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical ResourceCVSS vector
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:H/AT:P/PR:L/UI:P/VC:L/VI:H/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X
nvd-secondary
Attack context
MITRE CAPEC attack patterns and ATT&CK techniques for this weakness class (CWE). A starting point for detection rules and threat hunting.
Attack patterns (CAPEC)
- Accessing Functionality Not Properly Constrained by ACLsCAPEC-1likelihood: High · High
- Privilege AbuseCAPEC-122likelihood: High · Medium
- Directory IndexingCAPEC-127likelihood: High · Medium
- Using Malicious FilesCAPEC-17likelihood: High · Very High
- Exploiting Incorrectly Configured Access Control Security LevelsCAPEC-180likelihood: High · Medium
- Signing Malicious CodeCAPEC-206Very High
- Hijacking a privileged processCAPEC-234Medium
- Reusing Session IDs (aka Session Replay)CAPEC-60likelihood: High · High
ATT&CK techniques
- File and Directory DiscoveryT1083
- Access Token Manipulation:Token Impersonation/TheftT1134.001
- Server Software Component: Terminal Services DLLT1505.005
- Abuse Elevation Control MechanismT1548
- Use Alternate Authentication Material:Web Session CookieT1550.004
- Subvert Trust Controls:Code SigningT1553.002
- Compromise Client Software BinaryT1554
- Hijack Execution Flow:Executable Installer File Permissions WeaknessT1574.005
- Hijack Execution Flow: ServicesFile Permissions WeaknessT1574.010
Change log
- SSVC exploitation— → none
- Exploit maturity— → none
- Fix✗ → ✓
For records you follow, these changes also arrive as notifications. →
References
Show all references (3 more)Show less
Vendor advisories and official records. Exploit/PoC links are deliberately left out.