# CVE-2026-22702: python-virtualenv: virtualenv is a tool for creating isolated virtual python environments

CVE-2026-22702 is fixed in 2 products on 1 platform, first by DEBIAN-CVE-2026-22702, released January 10, 2026. It is not reported as exploited. Patch Radar priority: Routine.

- Web page: https://patchblox.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-22702
- Priority: Routine
- CVSS: 4.5 (medium)
- EPSS: 0.0010
- CISA KEV: not listed
- Exploited (vendor report): no
- Publicly disclosed: no
- Published: Jan 10, 2026

## Description

virtualenv is a tool for creating isolated virtual python environments. Prior to version 20.36.1, TOCTOU (Time-of-Check-Time-of-Use) vulnerabilities in virtualenv allow local attackers to perform symlink-based attacks on directory creation operations. An attacker with local access can exploit a race condition between directory existence checks and creation to redirect virtualenv's app_data and lock file operations to attacker-controlled locations. This issue has been patched in version 20.36.1.

## Where it's fixed

| Platform | Product | Fixed in | Fix | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | python-virtualenv Debian 13.5 (trixie) | 20.31.2+ds-1+deb13u1 | [DEBIAN-CVE-2026-22702](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/debian-cve-2026-22702.md) | Jan 10, 2026 |
| Linux | python-virtualenv Debian 14 | 20.36.1+ds-1 | [DEBIAN-CVE-2026-22702](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/debian-cve-2026-22702.md) | Jan 10, 2026 |
| Linux | python-virtualenv opensuse-leap 15.6 | 20.22.0-150400.9.9.1 | [SUSE-SU-2026:0233-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/suse-su-2026-0233-1.md) | Jan 22, 2026 |
| Linux | python-virtualenv opensuse-leap 16.0 | 20.29.3-160000.3.1 | [OPENSUSE-SU-2026:20086-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/opensuse-su-2026-20086-1.md) | Jan 22, 2026 |
| Linux | python-virtualenv sles 15.7 | 20.22.0-150400.9.9.1 | [SUSE-SU-2026:0233-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/suse-su-2026-0233-1.md) | Jan 22, 2026 |
| Linux | python-virtualenv sles 16.0 | 20.29.3-160000.3.1 | [SUSE-SU-2026:20129-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/suse-su-2026-20129-1.md) | Jan 22, 2026 |
| Linux | python3.13-virtualenv amzn 2023 | 20.21.1-1.amzn2023.0.2 | [ALAS2023-2026-1428](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alas2023-2026-1428.md) | Feb 16, 2026 |

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Data as of 2026-11-08T06:59:42Z UTC. Source: Patchblox Patch Radar (https://patchblox.com/security/patch-radar). Patchblox finds out-of-date software on Windows, macOS and Linux and updates it through release rings: https://patchblox.com/demo

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