CVE-2024-53899: virtualenv before 20.26.6 allows command injection through the activation scripts for a virtual environment

Q: How do I fix CVE-2024-53899?

virtualenv: upgrade to 20.26.6. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2024-53899 being exploited?

CVE-2024-53899 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2024-53899 affect?

CVE-2024-53899 affects virtualenv. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). virtualenv before 20.26.6 allows command injection through the activation scripts for a virtual environment. Magic template strings are not quoted correctly when replacing. NOTE: this is not the same as CVE-2024-9287.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2024-53899?

Priority 51/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

This month

HIGH 7.8UPGRADE

CVE-2024-53899 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.8) affecting virtualenv. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

virtualenv before 20.26.6 allows command injection through the activation scripts for a virtual environment. Magic template strings are not quoted correctly when replacing. NOTE: this is not the same as CVE-2024-9287.

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.8 (High)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	1.6% (top 25%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-77, CWE-78
Published	2024-11-24
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: virtualenv

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2024-11-24 16:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 08:09 UTCUpdated Record last modified

virtualenv virtualenv UPGRADE

Affected: < 20.26.6

Fixed in: 20.26.6

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy virtualenv || rpm -q virtualenv || virtualenv --version

2. UPGRADE to 20.26.6 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade virtualenv

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade virtualenv

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2024-53899?

virtualenv: upgrade to 20.26.6. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2024-53899 being exploited?

CVE-2024-53899 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2024-53899 affect?

CVE-2024-53899 affects virtualenv. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). virtualenv before 20.26.6 allows command injection through the activation scripts for a virtual environment. Magic template strings are not quoted correctly when replacing. NOTE: this is not the same as CVE-2024-9287.

How urgent is CVE-2024-53899?

Priority 51/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

References

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