CVE-2026-28684 | THREATINT

Description

python-dotenv reads key-value pairs from a .env file and can set them as environment variables. Prior to version 1.2.2, `set_key()` and `unset_key()` in python-dotenv follow symbolic links when rewriting `.env` files, allowing a local attacker to overwrite arbitrary files via a crafted symlink when a cross-device rename fallback is triggered. Users should upgrade to v.1.2.2 or, as a workaround, apply the patch manually.

PUBLISHED Reserved 2026-03-02 | Published 2026-04-20 | Updated 2026-04-20 | Assigner GitHub_M

MEDIUM: 6.6CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H

Problem types

CWE-59: Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')

CWE-61: UNIX Symbolic Link (Symlink) Following

Product status

< 1.2.2

affected

References

github.com/...dotenv/security/advisories/GHSA-mf9w-mj56-hr94 exploit

github.com/...dotenv/security/advisories/GHSA-mf9w-mj56-hr94

github.com/...ommit/790c5c02991100aa1bf41ee5330aca75edc51311

github.com/theskumar/python-dotenv/releases/tag/v1.2.2

cve.org (CVE-2026-28684)

nvd.nist.gov (CVE-2026-28684)

Download JSON