High 7.3Published Sep 29, 2026

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

Updated under an hour ago (2026-10-19 10:00 UTC)

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It affects pypa virtualenv. Add what you run to find out whether that includes you.

EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 0.14%, higher than 3% of scored CVEs.

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Every CVE for pypa virtualenv

Exploited in the last 30 days

virtualenv is a tool for creating isolated virtual python environments. Prior to 21.7.12, BatchActivator.quote() returns prompt text unchanged before activate.bat inserts it into a cmd.exe set "VAR=value" statement. An attacker who influences --prompt, VIRTUALENV_PROMPT, or the corresponding configuration value can include a double quote that closes the assignment and leaves following cmd.exe operators as executable syntax. When a user activates the generated Windows environment, the injected commands run with that user's privileges. This issue is fixed in version 21.7.12.

CVSS: 7.3 HIGH (v4.0, CNA)CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:P/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N
Weakness (CWE): CWE-78
Known exploited: Not in CISA's KEV catalog
EPSS (exploitation in the next 30 days): 0.14% (percentile 3)
Assigned by: GitHub_M
NVD analysis: Awaiting Analysis
Record last updated: Oct 2, 2026
First seen by InfoSec Signals: Oct 9, 2026

Affected products

Affected products

pypa virtualenv pypa:virtualenv (from the name)	before 21.7.12	CNA record

References

https://github.com/pypa/virtualenv/security/advisories/GHSA-x78j-v8h9-3j2qx-refsource-confirm
https://github.com/pypa/virtualenv/pull/3250x-refsource-misc
https://github.com/pypa/virtualenv/commit/d721ff140ce4afdc2a9b76751e4584e25d9fbea6x-refsource-misc
https://github.com/pypa/virtualenv/releases/tag/21.7.12x-refsource-misc

The CVE record on cve.org NVD's entry

The CVE record is authoritative. Products marked “from the name” were identified from the CNA's free-text names, not a CPE, and are matched less certainly. This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD.