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Vulnerability record · CVE-2026-81703 · published 27 August 2026

CVE-2026-81703: Jahlives openssl encrypt improper authentication vulnerability

JJahlives · Openssl Encrypt

openssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.9 fail to validate encryption status of embedded post-quantum private keys in file metadata. Attackers can craft files with unencrypted embedded PQC keys that decrypt under any password, bypassing authentication and producing attacker-chosen plaintext with false integrity verification.

8.7 CVSS 4.0 High EPSS 0.22% · top 88.3% CWE-287 · Improper authentication
8.7CVSS 4.0 base score
0.22%EPSS exploitation probability, 30 days
NoNot in CISA KEV
1Affected product versions listed by NVD
2References
1 Sep 2026Last modified by NVD

Description

openssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.9 fail to validate encryption status of embedded post-quantum private keys in file metadata. Attackers can craft files with unencrypted embedded PQC keys that decrypt under any password, bypassing authentication and producing attacker-chosen plaintext with false integrity verification.

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:

Affected products

1 vulnerable configurations from NVD's CPE data, grouped by vendor and product.

References

LinkTags
https://github.com/jahlives/openssl_encrypt/security/advisories/GHSA-qqfq-g2cv-j7v3 Vendor Advisory
https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openssl-encrypt-before-1.4.9-authentication-bypass-via-unencrypted-pqc-key Third Party Advisory

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Related vulnerabilities

Same products first, then exploited flaws of the same weakness class.

9.3CVE-2026-81717Jahlives openssl encrypt improper verification of cryptographic signature vulnerabilityopenssl_encrypt (pip package openssl-encrypt) before 1.4.9 contains two weaknesses in the portable USB drive feature, whose threat model treats the r…EPSS 0.12%9.3CVE-2026-81719Jahlives openssl encrypt code injection vulnerabilityopenssl_encrypt before 1.4.9 executes untrusted third-party plugins with insufficient controls: the plugin signature policy defaulted to WARN, so an …EPSS 0.44%9.3CVE-2026-81706Jahlives openssl encrypt insufficient verification of data authenticity vulnerabilityopenssl_encrypt before 1.4.9 fails to prevent namespace collisions between own identities and contacts in IdentityStore, allowing attackers to create…EPSS 0.18%9.3CVE-2026-81714Jahlives openssl encrypt improper verification of cryptographic signature vulnerabilityopenssl_encrypt (pip: openssl-encrypt) versions <= 1.4.8 use suffix-tolerant fingerprint matching in enroll_trust_key when binding a plugin-signing t…EPSS 0.20%9.3CVE-2026-81698Jahlives openssl encrypt os command injection vulnerabilityopenssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.9 contain a shell injection vulnerability in the info command's reconstructed CLI block that interpolates untrust…EPSS 0.43%9.3CVE-2026-81700Jahlives openssl encrypt improper verification of cryptographic signature vulnerabilityopenssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.9 contain a signature verification vulnerability in gpg_runner.verify_detached that accepts revoked and expired k…EPSS 0.35%9.3CVE-2026-81701Jahlives openssl encrypt improper verification of cryptographic signature vulnerabilityopenssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.9 use a denylist to identify trusted built-in plugins, allowing unsigned plugins in top-level plugins/ directorie…EPSS 0.43%9.3CVE-2026-81702Jahlives openssl encrypt insufficient verification of data authenticity vulnerabilityopenssl_encrypt before 1.4.9 fails to re-derive and validate fingerprints when loading identities from identity.json, allowing attackers to substitut…EPSS 0.19%

Source: NIST National Vulnerability Database (record CVE-2026-81703), CISA KEV, FIRST EPSS (scores of 2026-09-26). This page is refreshed as NVD updates the record.