Bug 2560172 (CVE-2026-115586)

Summary:	CVE-2026-115586 virtualenv: virtualenv: Arbitrary code execution via unescaped prompt in bash activation script
Product:	[Other] Security Response	Reporter:	OSIDB Bzimport <bzimport>
Component:	vulnerability	Assignee:	Product Security DevOps Team <prodsec-dev>
Status:	NEW ---	QA Contact:
Severity:	medium	Docs Contact:
Priority:	medium
Version:	unspecified	CC:	akhatavk, anpicker, anthomas, aos-team-art-private, aprice, asdas, cmyers, dnakabaa, dpaolell, dschmidt, ehelms, gbenhaim, ggainey, hasun, jdelft, jdobes, jfula, jlanda, jmitchel, jowilson, jpasqual, jsamir, jupierce, juwatts, jwong, kaycoth, kgaikwad, kshier, lcouzens, lgarciaa, mbiarnes, mdellweg, mhulan, niyer, nmoumoul, nyancey, oezr, omaciel, ometelka, orabin, osousa, pcreech, ppalepu, ppostler, prdhamdh, prwatson, ptisnovs, rbobbitt, rchan, sdawley, sghai, sidsharm, simaishi, smallamp, stcannon, suppawar, syedriko, tmalecek, twaugh, vlaad, xdharmai, yguenane, zzhou
Target Milestone:	---	Keywords:	Security
Target Release:	---
Hardware:	All
OS:	Linux
Whiteboard:
Fixed In Version:		Doc Type:	---
Doc Text:	A flaw was found in virtualenv. This vulnerability allows a local attacker to achieve arbitrary code execution by supplying a crafted prompt name during virtual environment creation. Due to insufficient sanitization of special shell characters in the bash activation script, the prompt value can trigger command substitution and execute commands with the privileges of the user activating the environment.	Story Points:	---
Clone Of:		Environment:
Last Closed:		Type:	---
Regression:	---	Mount Type:	---
Documentation:	---	CRM:
Verified Versions:		Category:	---
oVirt Team:	---	RHEL 7.3 requirements from Atomic Host:
Cloudforms Team:	---	Target Upstream Version:
Embargoed:

Description OSIDB Bzimport 2026-10-23 19:51:32 UTC

virtualenv is a tool for creating isolated virtual python environments. From 21.14.9 until 21.14.13, the bash bin/activate script can copy an attacker-controlled --prompt value into PS1 without escaping dollar signs or backticks when both promptvars and POSIX mode are disabled during activation. Re-enabling promptvars, running set -o posix, or starting an interactive child bash that inherits the exported PS1 can then expand command substitution in the stored VIRTUAL_ENV_PROMPT value and execute commands as the user who activates the environment. This issue is fixed in version 21.14.13.