CVE-2026-28684
Publication date 20 April 2026
Last updated 13 May 2026
Ubuntu priority
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.
Status
| Package | Ubuntu Release | Status |
|---|---|---|
| python-dotenv | 26.04 LTS resolute |
Needs evaluation
|
| 25.10 questing |
Needs evaluation
|
|
| 24.04 LTS noble |
Needs evaluation
|
|
| 22.04 LTS jammy |
Needs evaluation
|
|
| 20.04 LTS focal |
Needs evaluation
|
|
| 18.04 LTS bionic |
Needs evaluation
|
Severity score breakdown
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Base score |
6.6 · Medium
|
| Attack vector | Local |
| Attack complexity | Low |
| Privileges required | Low |
| User interaction | Required |
| Scope | Unchanged |
| Confidentiality | None |
| Integrity impact | High |
| Availability impact | High |
| Vector | CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H |