CVE-2026-81681
openssl_encrypt before 1.4.9 False Encryption via Cleartext Storage
- State
- Published
- Severity
- 9.3 Critical
- Published
- Aug 27, 2026
- Updated
- Oct 1, 2026
- Reserved
- Aug 27, 2026
Description
openssl_encrypt (pip package openssl-encrypt) versions <= 1.4.8 advertise a portable USB workspace as an 'Encrypted USB Workspace' with AES-256-GCM encryption and write a marker declaring the workspace encrypted, but the workspace directory is actually stored in cleartext and the derived encryption key is never applied to it. A user who trusts the branding and places files in the workspace leaves them unencrypted on the removable media, so an attacker with physical access to the media can read the sensitive files. Fixed in 1.4.9, which seals the workspace into an authenticated AES-256-GCM vault.
Scores
| CVSS | Score | Vector | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0 | 9.3 Critical | 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 | VulnCheck |
| 3.1 | 4.6 Medium | CVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N | VulnCheck |
Weaknesses
- CWE-311 Missing Encryption of Sensitive Data
Affected Products
| Product | Versions |
|---|---|
openssl_encryptjahlives |
|
References
- GitHub Security Advisory (GHSA-2jv6-qqfm-m46m)vendor-advisory
- VulnCheck Advisory: openssl_encrypt before 1.4.9 False Encryption via Cleartext Storagethird-party-advisory
Every record here comes from the CVE Program’s CVE List. © 1999–2026 The MITRE Corporation. CVE is a registered trademark of The MITRE Corporation. The records are reproduced under the CVE Program terms of use.