pypa virtualenv up to 21.14.8 Builtin Creator ensure_dir link following

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in pypa virtualenv up to 21.14.8. It has been classified as problematic. Affected by this issue is the function ensure_dir of the component Builtin Creator. Performing a manipulation results in link following. This vulnerability was named CVE-2026-113716. The attack needs to be approached locally. There is no available exploit. Upgrading the affected component is recommended.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as problematic has been found in pypa virtualenv up to 21.14.8. This affects the function ensure_dir of the component Builtin Creator. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a link following vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-59. The product attempts to access a file based on the filename, but it does not properly prevent that filename from identifying a link or shortcut that resolves to an unintended resource. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

virtualenv is a tool for creating isolated virtual python environments. Prior to 21.14.9, the builtin creator calls ensure_dir() for executable, library, and package directories, and ensure_dir() accepts an existing symlink to a directory because exists() follows it. Interpreter creation, seed installation, and activation generation then write through the linked parent outside the requested destination when another local account prepared the tree and the invoking user can access the target. The --clear option removes the planted tree first, while ordinary creation reaches it; arbitrary attacker-selected output bytes are not established. This issue is fixed in version 21.14.9.

The advisory is shared at github.com. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2026-113716 since 10/20/2026. The exploitability is told to be easy. An attack has to be approached locally. It demands that the victim is doing some kind of user interaction. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available.

Upgrading to version 21.14.9 eliminates this vulnerability.

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Productinfo

Vendor

• pypa

Name

• virtualenv

Version

• 21.14.0
• 21.14.1
• 21.14.2
• 21.14.3
• 21.14.4
• 21.14.5
• 21.14.6
• 21.14.7
• 21.14.8

Website

• Product: https://github.com/pypa/virtualenv/

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