CVE-2026-24049: wheel is a command line tool for manipulating Python wheel files, as defined in PEP 427

Q: How do I fix CVE-2026-24049?

wheel: upgrade to 0.46.2. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2026-24049 being exploited?

CVE-2026-24049 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-2026-24049 affect?

CVE-2026-24049 affects wheel. Severity is high (CVSS 7.1). wheel is a command line tool for manipulating Python wheel files, as defined in PEP 427. In versions 0.40.0 through 0.46.1, the unpack function is vulnerable to file permission modification through mishandling of file permissions after extr

Q: How urgent is CVE-2026-24049?

Priority 37/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

Routine

HIGH 7.1UPGRADE

CVE-2026-24049 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.1) affecting wheel. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

wheel is a command line tool for manipulating Python wheel files, as defined in PEP 427. In versions 0.40.0 through 0.46.1, the unpack function is vulnerable to file permission modification through mishandling of file permissions after extraction. The logic blindly trusts the filename from the archive header for the chmod operation, even though the extraction process itself might have sanitized the path. Attackers can craft a malicious wheel file

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.1 (High)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	0.4% (top 72%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-22, CWE-732
Published	2026-01-22
Last modified	2026-09-10

Publisher (CNA): GitHub, Inc. · Vendor: wheel project

Last updated 2026-09-10 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-01-22 05:16 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-09-10 13:17 UTCUpdated Record last modified

wheel project wheel UPGRADE

Affected: >= 0.40.0 and < 0.46.2

Fixed in: 0.46.2

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 0.40.0

1. Check installed version

pip show wheel

2. UPGRADE to 0.46.2

pip install --upgrade "wheel>=0.46.2"

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 0.40.0

pip index versions wheel pip install "wheel<0.40.0"

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

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-2026-24049?

wheel: upgrade to 0.46.2. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2026-24049 being exploited?

CVE-2026-24049 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-2026-24049 affect?

CVE-2026-24049 affects wheel. Severity is high (CVSS 7.1). wheel is a command line tool for manipulating Python wheel files, as defined in PEP 427. In versions 0.40.0 through 0.46.1, the unpack function is vulnerable to file permission modification through mishandling of file permissions after extr

How urgent is CVE-2026-24049?

Priority 37/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

Software pages

Python vulnerabilities

References

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