CVE-2026-102938: pypa virtualenv CRLF Injection

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2026-102938 is a medium (CVSS 5.8) CRLF Injection vulnerability in pypa virtualenv. EPSS estimates a 0.14% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 3% of scored vulnerabilities.

Timeline

1. 29-09-2026
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 30-09-2026
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

Description

virtualenv is a tool for creating isolated virtual python environments. Prior to 21.7.11, PyEnvCfg.write() writes prompt values verbatim to the line-oriented pyvenv.cfg format while PyEnvCfg._read_values() parses the file with str.splitlines() and accepts the last value for duplicate keys. An attacker who influences --prompt, VIRTUALENV_PROMPT, or configuration input can insert a recognized line boundary and additional keys, including home, causing consumers to use an attacker-selected base interpreter or corrupted environment metadata. The security impact requires prompt input from outside the operator's trust boundary; directly supplied prompt content primarily corrupts the operator's own environment. This issue is fixed in version 21.7.11.

• CWE-93Improper Neutralization of CRLF Sequences ('CRLF Injection')The product uses CRLF (carriage return line feeds) as a special element, e.g. to separate lines or records, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes CRLF sequences from inputs.