CVE-2013-1888: pip before 1.3 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on a file in the /tmp/p...

Security readout for executives and security teams

CVE-2013-1888 is an old pip vulnerability where a local user could abuse insecure temporary file handling to overwrite files. The main concern is shared systems where an outdated pip is run with elevated privileges. There is no source evidence here of active exploitation. Exposure is most plausible on legacy Unix-like hosts, shared build systems, or old images running pip before 1.3. Modern maintained Python packaging environments are less likely affected, but inherited servers and frozen CI images should be checked. Treat this as a legacy hygiene issue unless vulnerable shared systems still exist. The business urgency rises if old build hosts or multi-user servers run pip with elevated privileges, because arbitrary file overwrite can support broader compromise. Mitigation focus: Inventory systems and images for pip versions older than 1.3.; Upgrade pip to 1.3 or later, or a vendor-supported fixed package.; Prioritize shared hosts and build runners where local users share /tmp..

Prepared

Jun 14, 2026, 21:50 UTC (UTC+00:00)

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.