CVE-2024-9287: Virtual environment (venv) activation scripts don't quote paths

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2024-9287 is a high (CVSS 7.8) Unquoted Search Path or Element vulnerability in python software foundation cpython. EPSS estimates a 0.65% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 51.1% of scored vulnerabilities.

Timeline

1. 22-10-2024
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 30-10-2026
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

Description

A vulnerability has been found in the CPython `venv` module and CLI where path names provided when creating a virtual environment were not quoted properly, allowing the creator to inject commands into virtual environment "activation" scripts (ie "source venv/bin/activate"). This means that attacker-controlled virtual environments are able to run commands when the virtual environment is activated. Virtual environments which are not created by an attacker or which aren't activated before being used (ie "./venv/bin/python") are not affected.

• CWE-428Unquoted Search Path or ElementThe product uses a search path that contains an unquoted element, in which the element contains whitespace or other separators. This can cause the product to access resources in a parent path.
• CWE-77Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a CommandThe product constructs all or part of a command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended command when it is sent to a downstream component.