CVE-2026-5271Public exploit

Local code execution via alias search-path hijacking

Published Apr 1, 2026 · Updated Apr 1, 2026

Search-path hijacking in Python Install Manager 26.0 allows local users to execute code through generated script aliases. The alias-generation logic in src/manage/aliasutils.py writes an empty string to sys.path[0], causing Python to resolve imports from the current working directory before the intended package. Execution requires a user to run an affected alias, such as pip or pytest, from an attacker-controlled directory, where a planted module runs with that user's privileges.

CVSS severity5.6
Medium
EPSS probability0.17%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Search-path hijacking in Python Install Manager 26.0 allows local users to execute code through generated script aliases. The alias-generation logic in src/manage/aliasutils.py writes an empty string to sys.path[0], causing Python to resolve imports from the current working directory before the intended package. Execution requires a user to run an affected alias, such as pip or pytest, from an attacker-controlled directory, where a planted module runs with that user's privileges.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-5271
Published
Apr 1, 2026
Updated
Apr 1, 2026
Vendor
Python Software Foundation
Product
Python Install Manager
Classifications
CWE-426, CWE-427, CAPEC-471, T1574.008
Attack vector
local
Privileges
Unavailable

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Apr 1, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Apr 1, 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=26.0 <26.1

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesUnavailable in this record.

What is affected?

Python Software Foundation · Python Install Managerversion=26.0 <26.1

Published CVSS scores

7.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
5.6Python Software FoundationCVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:A/VC:N/VI:H/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)
Vectorlocal
PrivilegesUnavailable
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-426Untrusted Search Path
CWE-427Uncontrolled Search Path Element
CAPEC-471Search Order Hijacking
T1574.008Path Interception by Search Order Hijacking

Public exploit references

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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