Path Traversal in Conda

CVE-2026-53940

Conda is a system-level binary package and environment manager that runs on major operating systems and platforms. Prior to 26.5.2, parse_entry_point_def in conda/common/path/python.py accepted an unvalidated entry-point command from a noarch:python package's info/link.json metadata. CreatePythonEntryPointAction in conda/core/path_actions.py interpolated that command into target_short_path, and PrefixPathAction.target_full_path joined it to the installation prefix without verifying that the result remained under the intended bin or Scripts directory. create_python_entry_point in conda/gateways/disk/create.py then wrote an executable wrapper to the resulting path. A malicious package could use path separators, traversal segments, or an absolute command path to write outside the prefix or overwrite another in-prefix entry point during default install and environment transactions. Out-of-prefix writes require the target parent directory to exist, while an overwritten entry point can execute attacker-controlled Python when later invoked with the installing user's privileges. This issue is fixed in version 26.5.2.

Vulnerability class: Path Traversal (Directory Traversal)

CVSS v3 metric

CVSS v3 base score 8.8 (High). Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.

Affected products

  • Conda — versions < 26.5.2

Weakness classification (CWE)

References

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2026-53940?
CVE-2026-53940 is a high-severity vulnerability in Conda, classified under Path Traversal. CVSS score: 8.8/10. Published 2026-09-21.
How severe is CVE-2026-53940?
High severity. CVSS v3 base score is 8.8 out of 10.