CVE-2026-81701 json
openssl_encrypt before 1.4.9 Arbitrary Code Execution via unsigned plugin
published 2mo ago modified last mo. also EUVD-2026-67057 , GHSA-wxx9-p55f-wm34 , PYSEC-2026-3778
- cvss
- 9.8
- version 3.1, CNA
- cisa kev
- Not listed
- not in CISA's catalog
- epss
- 0.4%
- EPSS 0.4% chance of exploitation in 30 days, percentile 37%
- public exploits
- 0
- none known
Summary
openssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.9 use a denylist to identify trusted built-in plugins, allowing unsigned plugins in top-level plugins/ directories and unknown subdirectories to bypass signature verification. Attackers can place malicious unsigned plugins following documented installation paths to achieve arbitrary code execution in the CLI process with access to passwords and cryptographic keys.
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
- total
- Assessed
- 2mo ago
Exploit prediction
0.43% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 37% of all scored CVEs (FIRST EPSS, 2026-11-11).
CVSS scores
| assigned by | version | score | vector |
|---|---|---|---|
| CNA | 4.0 | 9.3 | CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N |
| CNA | 3.1 | 9.8 | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H |
| CNA | 4.0 | 9.3 | CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/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-347 Improper Verification of Cryptographic Signature
References
-
github.com
/jahlives/openssl_encrypt/security/advisories/GHSA-wxx9-p55f-wm34
vendor-advisory, advisory
-
vulncheck.com
/advisories/openssl-encrypt-before-1.4.9-arbitrary-code-execution-via-unsigned-plugin
third-party-advisory, advisory
Sources
- CVE List CVE-2026-81701
- NVD CVE-2026-81701
- OSV PYSEC-2026-3778
- Maintainer advisory GHSA-wxx9-p55f-wm34
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.