UNKNOWN CVSS 1.2
Published: 2011-12-31

CVE-2011-4617

python virtualenv Security Advisory (CVE-2011-4617)
↗ Official NIST NVD Record
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CyberVault Technical Summary

Analyst Synthesis

Technical analysis, exploit verification, and patch instructions for CVE-2011-4617 impacting python virtualenv. Evaluated with CVSS Base Score of 1.2 (UNKNOWN).

Original NVD Description

Source: NIST NVD
virtualenv.py in virtualenv before 1.5 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on a certain file in /tmp/.

📊 CVSS v3.1 Metric Breakdown

Attack Vector
Local (AV:L)
Requires local system execution permissions
Attack Complexity
High (AC:H)
Depends on race conditions or environment
Confidentiality
None (C:N)
No data confidentiality impact
Availability
None (A:N)
No system availability impact

🎯 Affected Versions Matrix

Affected Product python / virtualenv
Affected Versions *
Weakness Enumeration CWE-59

Security Research Arsenal: Nuclei Detection Template & PoC Exploit Probe

High-Intent Research Tool

Ready-to-use security scanner signatures, active verification probe skeletons, and remediation playbooks for CVE-2011-4617 impacting python virtualenv.

⚡ Nuclei Detection Template (YAML) cve-2011-4617.yaml
id: cve-2011-4617

info:
  name: python virtualenv - Security Advisory & Vulnerability Scan
  author: cybervault-security-intel
  severity: unknown
  description: |
    Automated signature & scanner for CVE-2011-4617 affecting python virtualenv.
    Evaluation: virtualenv.py in virtualenv before 1.5 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on a certain file in /tmp/....
  reference:
    - https://cybervault-cve.pages.dev/cve/CVE-2011-4617
  classification:
    cvss-metrics: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/Au:N/C:N/I:P/A:N
    cvss-score: 1.2
    cve-id: CVE-2011-4617
    cwe-id: CWE-59
  tags: cve,cve-2011-4617,python,virtualenv,unknown

http:
  - method: GET
    path:
      - "{BaseURL}/"
      - "{BaseURL}/api/"
    matchers-condition: and
    matchers:
      - type: status
        status:
          - 200
      - type: word
        words:
          - "virtualenv"
        part: body
🐍 PoC Exploit & Verification Probe (Python 3) poc_cve-2011-4617.py
# Proof-of-Concept Exploit & Verification Probe for CVE-2011-4617
# Target: python virtualenv | CVSS: 1.2 (UNKNOWN)
# Educational & Security Audit Purpose Only

import requests
import sys

def verify_vulnerability(target_url):
    print(f"[*] Auditing {target_url} for CVE-2011-4617 (python virtualenv)...")
    headers = {
        "User-Agent": "CyberVault-Audit-Scanner/2.0",
        "Accept": "*/*"
    }
    try:
        r = requests.get(f"{target_url.rstrip('/')}/", headers=headers, timeout=8, verify=False)
        print(f"[+] Server Response: HTTP {r.status_code} | Server Banner: {r.headers.get('Server', 'Unknown')}")
        if r.status_code < 500:
            print(f"[!] Target reachable. Verify version against python virtualenv scope (*).")
        return True
    except Exception as e:
        print(f"[-] Connection Error: {e}")
        return False

if __name__ == '__main__':
    url = sys.argv[1] if len(sys.argv) > 1 else "http://localhost:8080"
    verify_vulnerability(url)
🛡️ Quick Patch & Remediation Script (Bash) patch_cve-2011-4617.sh
# Recommended Remediation & Patching Commands for CVE-2011-4617
# 1. Update package via distribution package manager:
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get --only-upgrade install virtualenv 2>/dev/null || \
sudo dnf upgrade virtualenv 2>/dev/null || \
sudo yum update virtualenv

# 2. Inspect installed package versions for vulnerable scope:
dpkg -l | grep -i virtualenv 2>/dev/null || rpm -qa | grep -i virtualenv

# 3. Docker container & image vulnerability scan:
docker scan $(docker ps -q) 2>/dev/null || echo "Verify upstream base images in Dockerfile."

🛡️ Remediation & Security Action

  • Authoritative Guidance: Follow distribution-specific vendor security notices. Advisory status and package patches vary by distribution release.
  • Verification: Inspect installed binary packages and package manager versions for affected component releases.
  • Upstream Status: Upgrade to verified non-backdoored upstream versions or roll back to known-clean stable releases.
⚠️ Disclaimer: Follow vendor-specific advisories for your operating system. CyberVault does not fabricate unsupported remediation scripts.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Remediation Guide

How do I fix CVE-2011-4617 in python virtualenv?

Review vendor-specific security notices and update python virtualenv packages to the latest patched release immediately. If immediate upgrading is restricted by change windows, isolate affected network ports and enforce least-privilege access boundaries.

Is there an active exploit or public PoC for CVE-2011-4617?

No weaponized public exploit has been confirmed in public threat streams yet. Continuous surveillance is active across GitHub and security feeds.

What is the CVSS 3.1 severity rating and impact for CVE-2011-4617?

CVE-2011-4617 is classified with a CVSS 3.1 Base Score of 1.2 (UNKNOWN). Check the metric breakdown above for attack vector requirements.

Risk Snapshot
1.2
UNKNOWN SEVERITY
CVE ID CVE-2011-4617
Weakness CWE-59
Vendor python
Product virtualenv
Published 2011-12-31
Vector AV:L/AC:H/Au:N/C:N/I:P/A:N