CVE-2026-81689

openssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.9 derive the remote-pepper wrap key using unsalted HKDF-SHA256 or bare SHA-256 of the password, allowing identical keys across all users and files. Attackers with access to wrapped pepper blobs can precompute a single dictionary table and perform fleet-wide offline password guessing at hardware speed to recover user passwords.

CVSS v3 7.5 HIGH

7.5^/10

CVSS v3 : HIGH

Vector :

Exploitability : 3.9 / Impact : 3.6

Attack Vector NETWORK

Attack Complexity LOW

Privileges Required NONE

User Interaction NONE

Confidentiality Impact HIGH

Integrity Impact NONE

Availability Impact NONE

Scope UNCHANGED

References

Link	Resource
https://github.com/jahlives/openssl_encrypt/security/advisories/GHSA-3v63-778v-3mvp	Vendor Advisory
https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openssl-encrypt-before-1.4.9-weak-pepper-key-derivation	Third Party Advisory

Configurations

Configuration 1 (hide)

cpe:2.3:a:jahlives:openssl_encrypt:*:*:*:*:*:python:*:*

History

No history.

Information

Published : 2026-08-27 17:20

Updated : 2026-09-03 15:07

NVD link : CVE-2026-81689

Mitre link : CVE-2026-81689

CVE.ORG link : CVE-2026-81689

JSON object : View

Products Affected

jahlives

openssl_encrypt

CWE

CWE-916

Use of Password Hash With Insufficient Computational Effort

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