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CVE-2026-113718 · GHSA-394h-qwmc-48pf

virtualenv: Xonsh activation literals depend on the script decoding codec

Risk score
48/100
CVSS
7.1 v4.0
Exploit chance (30 days)
0.1%
Published
20 Oct 2026

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What to know

What it is
virtualenv is a tool for creating isolated virtual python environments. Prior to 21.14.9, POSIX xonsh activation quote() uses repr() to write printable non-ASCII prompt or destination data into UTF-8 activate.xsh, while xonsh can read that script using $XONSH_ENCODING. Under a legacy multibyte codec such as GBK or Big…
Affected
virtualenv (pip) < 21.14.9
Fix
Upgrade virtualenv to 21.14.9 or later.
Exploitation
No known exploitation

Story map

Story map: virtualenvTHE FLAWSTHE FIXCVE-2026-113718Xonsh activation literalsdepend on the script decodingcodecCVSS 7.1 · EPSS 0%CVE-2026-113725Virtualenv bash activate runscommands from anenvironment name with a…CVSS 7.8 · EPSS 0%CVE-2026-102930Downloaded seed wheels(pip/setuptools) are notintegrity-checked before useCVSS 7.7 · EPSS 0%CVE-2026-113776Virtualenv activation scriptsrun code from a path thatcontains a placeholder nameCVSS 7.8 · EPSS 0%Upgrade virtualenv21.14.9 · 21.14.7 · 21.7.12 · 21.14.2or later on your release lineWho is exposedvirtualenv (pip) <= 21.14.6YELLOW · PLAN IT INvirtualenvvirtualenv is a tool for creatingisolated virtual pythonenvironments. Prior to 21.14.7,the bash activate script escapesthe environment name for onlyone of the two passes bashmakes over PS1, so a backslash…Where it standsPublic proof of conceptCONNECTS TOSame weaknessCode injection (CWE-94)238 other warnings in 30 days →
Story map: the flaws, the fix, how it unfolded and what it connects to. Boxes link to the record or article.

At a glance

virtualenv: Yellow, plan it in. virtualenv is a tool for creating isolated virtual python environments. Prior to 21.14.7, the bash activate script escapes the environment name for only one of the two passes bash makes over PS1, so a backslash in the name undoes the escaping and a name containing \$(...) runs as commands in the user's shell each time…

The flaws

  • CVE-2026-113718: Xonsh activation literals depend on the script decoding codec (CVSS 7.1 · EPSS 0%)
  • CVE-2026-113725: Virtualenv bash activate runs commands from an environment name with a backslash before $ (CVSS 7.8 · EPSS 0%)
  • CVE-2026-102930: Downloaded seed wheels (pip/setuptools) are not integrity-checked before use (CVSS 7.7 · EPSS 0%)
  • CVE-2026-113776: Virtualenv activation scripts run code from a path that contains a placeholder name (CVSS 7.8 · EPSS 0%)

The fix

Upgrade virtualenv: 21.14.9 · 21.14.7 · 21.7.12 · 21.14.2 or later on your release line

Who is exposed: virtualenv (pip) <= 21.14.6

Where it stands

  • Public proof of concept

Connects to

Why it is Yellow

  • CVSS 7.1 high
  • On your watchlist: PyPI

Affected packages

PackageEcosystemVulnerableFixed in
virtualenvpip< 21.14.921.14.9

References

Original description

virtualenv is a tool for creating isolated virtual python environments. Prior to 21.14.9, POSIX xonsh activation quote() uses repr() to write printable non-ASCII prompt or destination data into UTF-8 activate.xsh, while xonsh can read that script using $XONSH_ENCODING. Under a legacy multibyte codec such as GBK or Big5, a UTF-8 trail byte can consume the backslash before an adjacent quote, allowing the literal to close and attacker-influenced statements to execute when the user sources the generated script. This issue is fixed in version 21.14.9.

Last activity 23 Oct 2026. Patch Forecast updates every hour.