CVE-2026-1703Network attack vector

Limited file writes via character-wise path comparison

Published Feb 2, 2026 · Updated Feb 2, 2026

Path traversal in pip before 26.0 allows attackers to write files outside the installation directory through a crafted wheel archive. The is_within_directory helper in unpacking.py compares absolute paths with os.path.commonprefix, so sibling paths sharing a character prefix pass the containment check. Exploitation requires a user-initiated installation of an attacker-controlled wheel; writes are limited to directory-prefix neighbors and normally cannot replace executable files.

CVSS severity2.0
Low
EPSS probability0.40%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Path traversal in pip before 26.0 allows attackers to write files outside the installation directory through a crafted wheel archive. The is_within_directory helper in unpacking.py compares absolute paths with os.path.commonprefix, so sibling paths sharing a character prefix pass the containment check. Exploitation requires a user-initiated installation of an attacker-controlled wheel; writes are limited to directory-prefix neighbors and normally cannot replace executable files.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-1703
Published
Feb 2, 2026
Updated
Feb 2, 2026
Vendor
Python Packaging Authority
Product
pip
Classifications
CWE-22, T1204.002
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Feb 2, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Feb 2, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=0 <26.0

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Python Packaging Authority · pipversion=0 <26.0

Published CVSS scores

2.0Python Software FoundationCVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:A/VC:N/VI:L/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-22Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')
T1204.002User Execution: Malicious File

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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