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  5. CVE-2026-102937

CVE-2026-102937: virtualenv: Command injection via --prompt in activate.bat (batch activator)

October 1, 2026

BatchActivator.quote() returned its input unchanged, the only activator with no escaping at all. --prompt, the VIRTUALENV_PROMPT environment variable, and the config file all set the prompt, and activate.bat writes it straight into @set "VAR=value". A prompt containing a double quote closes that string early, and whatever follows runs as live cmd.exe syntax:

$ virtualenv --prompt 'x" & calc & "' venv
$ venv\Scripts\activate.bat

runs calc the moment someone activates the environment. Confirmed on a real Windows runner. Anyone who templates a prompt from untrusted input (a CI job using a branch name, a wrapper script deriving an environment name from user input) hands an attacker code execution in the shell of anyone who activates the resulting venv on Windows.

Fixed in 21.7.12 by escaping the characters cmd.exe treats as live syntax inside this construct. Fix: https://github.com/pypa/virtualenv/pull/3250

References

  • github.com/advisories/GHSA-x78j-v8h9-3j2q
  • github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/virtualenv/PYSEC-2026-4014.yaml
  • github.com/pypa/virtualenv
  • github.com/pypa/virtualenv/commit/d721ff140ce4afdc2a9b76751e4584e25d9fbea6
  • github.com/pypa/virtualenv/pull/3250
  • github.com/pypa/virtualenv/releases/tag/21.7.12
  • github.com/pypa/virtualenv/security/advisories/GHSA-x78j-v8h9-3j2q
  • nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-102937
  • pypi.org/project/virtualenv

Code Behaviors & Features

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Affected versions

All versions before 21.7.12

Fixed versions

  • 21.7.12

Solution

Upgrade to version 21.7.12 or above.

Impact 7.8 HIGH

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Learn more about CVSS

Weakness

  • CWE-78: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')

Source file

pypi/virtualenv/CVE-2026-102937.yml

Spotted a mistake? Edit the file on GitLab.

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