CVE-2026-8643
Description
A flaw was found in pip, the package installer for Python. A remote attacker can exploit this vulnerability by tricking a victim into installing a malicious Python wheel. This wheel contains specially crafted entry-point names that use directory traversal or absolute paths. This allows pip to write generated script wrappers outside the intended installation directory, leading to arbitrary file overwrite. This can severely impact system integrity and availability, and in certain scenarios, may lead to arbitrary code execution.
Statement
This Important flaw in pip's wheel installation process allows for arbitrary file overwrite due to path traversal. An attacker could exploit this by convincing a user to install a specially crafted malicious Python wheel. While file overwrites are limited to the installing user's permissions, using pip install with elevated privileges in Red Hat environments significantly increases the potential impact, potentially leading to system integrity compromise or arbitrary code execution.
Mitigation
To mitigate this issue, users should avoid installing Python wheels from untrusted sources. It is strongly advised against using `pip install` with elevated privileges, such as `sudo`, when installing wheels. Additionally, administrators should inspect `entry_points.txt` within wheels for path separators or absolute paths before installation.
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).
CVSS v3 Score Breakdown
| Red Hat | NVD | cve.org | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Score | 8 | 5.5 | 8 |
| Attack Vector | Network | Local | Network |
| Attack Complexity | Low | Low | Low |
| Privileges Required | Low | Low | Low |
| User Interaction | Required | None | Required |
| Scope | Unchanged | Unchanged | Unchanged |
| Confidentiality | High | None | High |
| Integrity Impact | High | High | High |
| Availability Impact | High | None | High |
Vector
Red Hat: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
NVD: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N
cve.org: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Understanding the Weakness (CWE)
Integrity,Confidentiality,Availability
Technical Impact: Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands
The attacker may be able to create or overwrite critical files that are used to execute code, such as programs or libraries.
Integrity
Technical Impact: Modify Files or Directories
The attacker may be able to overwrite or create critical files, such as programs, libraries, or important data. If the targeted file is used for a security mechanism, then the attacker may be able to bypass that mechanism. For example, appending a new account at the end of a password file may allow an attacker to bypass authentication.
Confidentiality
Technical Impact: Read Files or Directories
The attacker may be able read the contents of unexpected files and expose sensitive data. If the targeted file is used for a security mechanism, then the attacker may be able to bypass that mechanism. For example, by reading a password file, the attacker could conduct brute force password guessing attacks in order to break into an account on the system.
Availability
Technical Impact: DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart
The attacker may be able to overwrite, delete, or corrupt unexpected critical files such as programs, libraries, or important data. This may prevent the product from working at all and in the case of protection mechanisms such as authentication, it has the potential to lock out product users.
Acknowledgements
This issue was discovered by AISLE in partnership with Red Hat from.
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