CVE-2026-81699 json
openssl_encrypt before 1.4.9 Denial of Service via unbounded KDF cost
published 2mo ago modified last mo. also EUVD-2026-67055 , GHSA-phmr-p567-q5g6 , PYSEC-2026-3961
- cvss
- 7.5
- version 3.1, CNA
- cisa kev
- Not listed
- not in CISA's catalog
- epss
- 0.5%
- EPSS 0.5% chance of exploitation in 30 days, percentile 43%
- public exploits
- 0
- none known
Summary
openssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.9 fail to properly validate key derivation function costs in crafted files, allowing attackers to trigger unbounded memory and CPU exhaustion during pre-authentication processing. Attackers can supply malicious files with excessive KDF parameters to exhaust system resources and crash or wedge the process before password verification occurs.
Patch / fix
- pypi openssl-encrypt 1.4.9
- jahlives openssl_encrypt 1.4.9
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Check with FencerCISA SSVC
- Exploitation
- none
- Automatable
- yes
- Technical impact
- partial
- Assessed
- 2mo ago
Exploit prediction
0.51% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 43% of all scored CVEs (FIRST EPSS, 2026-11-11).
CVSS scores
| assigned by | version | score | vector |
|---|---|---|---|
| CNA | 4.0 | 8.7 | CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N |
| CNA | 3.1 | 7.5 | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N |
| CNA | 4.0 | 8.7 | CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X |
Affected packages
| ecosystem | package | affected | fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| pypi | openssl-encrypt | <1.4.9 |
1.4.9 |
Affected products
- jahlives openssl_encrypt
Classification
- Weakness
-
- CWE-770 Allocation of Resources Without Limits or Throttling
References
-
github.com
/jahlives/openssl_encrypt/security/advisories/GHSA-phmr-p567-q5g6
vendor-advisory, advisory
-
vulncheck.com
/advisories/openssl-encrypt-before-1.4.9-denial-of-service-via-unbounded-kdf-cost
third-party-advisory, advisory
Sources
- CVE List CVE-2026-81699
- NVD CVE-2026-81699
- OSV PYSEC-2026-3961
- Maintainer advisory GHSA-phmr-p567-q5g6
Fencer Intel keeps one entry per vulnerability: the CVE id wins, then GHSA, and records that alias each other are merged, except that two CVEs always keep separate entries. The same data is available as JSON.
The maintainers of jahlives/openssl_encrypt published their own advisory on GitHub. Reviewed sources take precedence over it.