Conda: Entry-point path traversal in noarch:python install (arbitrary file write) — canonical Python implementation
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- Required
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- —
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA.
Summary
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.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- Poc
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Total
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
Remediation
- Fix · CNA conda (conda) Fixed in 26.5.2
Vendor assessments
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-53940
References
More conda vulnerabilities
- TI-2025-23835 Conda-build Allows Arbitrary Code Execution via Malicious Recipe Selectors CVSS 4.0HIGH 8.2
- TI-2025-23836 Conda-build Vulnerable to Path Traversal via Malicious Tar File CVSS 4.0MEDIUM 5.6
- TI-2026-79928 Pwn request in Conda infrastructure workflow exposes SYNC_TOKEN CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.9
- TI-2025-39776 (conda) Constructor: Excessive permissions during and after installation CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.8
- TI-2025-23837 Conda-build vulnerable to supply chain attack vector due to pyproject.toml referring to dependencies not present in PyPI CVSS 4.0HIGH 7.2
- TI-2024-30877 Miniconda3 macOS installers before 23.11.0-1 contain a local privilege escalation… CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.8
Sources
- CVE-2026-53940 · CVE Program
- CVE-2026-53940 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- CVE-2026-53940 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences