CVE-2026-28684
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.
Does this matter?
Lower severity and a low EPSS score (0.25%). Track it; it rarely justifies an emergency change on its own.
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.
- CVSS 3.1
- 6.6 MEDIUMCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H
- EPSS
- 0.25% probability · 17th percentile
- Public exploits
- None in Exploit-DB
- CISA KEV
- Not listed
- Weakness
- CWE-59, CWE-61
- Affected
- saurabh-kumar/python-dotenv
- Source
- security-advisories@github.com
EPSS 0.3% since 27 October 2026; no change recorded yet. Points are recorded when the score first appears and whenever it moves by a percentage point or more.
References
- https://github.com/theskumar/python-dotenv/commit/790c5c02991100aa1bf41ee5330aca75edc51311Patch
- https://github.com/theskumar/python-dotenv/releases/tag/v1.2.2Release Notes
- https://github.com/theskumar/python-dotenv/security/advisories/GHSA-mf9w-mj56-hr94Exploit, Patch, Vendor Advisory
- https://github.com/theskumar/python-dotenv/security/advisories/GHSA-mf9w-mj56-hr94Exploit, Patch, Vendor Advisory
Source: NVD record, EPSS from FIRST.org, KEV from CISA, exploits from Exploit-DB. Refreshed daily. Download this record as JSON.