CVE-2026-113713
Description
A flaw was found in virtualenv. When configured to link application data through environment variables or configuration files, virtualenv can leave newly created environments linked to temporary package files that are deleted after setup completes. Because the virtual environment references an abandoned cache directory path that the user no longer controls, a local attacker could place malicious files in that location. This could allow an attacker to achieve arbitrary code execution or tamper with installed packages when a user runs commands in the affected environment.
Statement
Red Hat has rated this flaw as having a Moderate severity because exploitation requires local system access alongside non-default configurations and specific runtime preconditions. An attack can only occur if symlink-based application data seeding is explicitly configured through environment variables or configuration files and virtualenv falls back to a shared temporary directory due to an unwritable home directory. Under default configurations, virtualenv copies packages and uses user-owned persistent cache directories, which prevents other local users from hijacking cache paths.
Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) Score Details
Info alert:Important note
CVSS scores for open source components depend on vendor-specific factors (e.g. version or build chain). Therefore, Red Hat's score and impact rating can be different from NVD and other vendors. Red Hat remains the authoritative CVE Naming Authority (CNA) source for its products and services (see Red Hat classifications).
The following CVSS metrics and score provided are preliminary and subject to review.
CVSS v3 Score Breakdown
| Red Hat | NVD | cve.org | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Score | 6.7 | N/A | N/A |
| Attack Vector | Local | N/A | N/A |
| Attack Complexity | High | N/A | N/A |
| Privileges Required | Low | N/A | N/A |
| User Interaction | Required | N/A | N/A |
| Scope | Unchanged | N/A | N/A |
| Confidentiality | High | N/A | N/A |
| Integrity Impact | High | N/A | N/A |
| Availability Impact | High | N/A | N/A |
Vector
Red Hat: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Understanding the Weakness (CWE)
Confidentiality,Integrity,Access Control
Technical Impact: Read Files or Directories; Modify Files or Directories; Bypass Protection Mechanism
An attacker may be able to traverse the file system to unintended locations and read or overwrite the contents of unexpected files. If the files are used for a security mechanism then an attacker may be able to bypass the mechanism.
Other
Technical Impact: Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands
Windows simple shortcuts, sometimes referred to as soft links, can be exploited remotely since a ".LNK" file can be uploaded like a normal file. This can enable remote execution.
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