Description
openssl_encrypt before 1.4.9 executes untrusted third-party plugins with insufficient controls: the plugin signature policy defaulted to WARN, so an unsigned/unverifiable non-built-in plugin was compiled and executed in the host process at import time, before the runtime sandbox is installed. The only default gate was an incomplete, bypassable AST denylist. If a user is induced to load an attacker's plugin, this results in arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the user running openssl_encrypt. Fixed in 1.4.9 by defaulting the signature policy to ENFORCE for non-built-in plugins.
Published: 2026-08-27
Score: 9.3 Critical
EPSS: < 1% Very Low
KEV: No
Impact: Remote Code Execution
Action: Immediate Patch
AI Analysis

Impact

openssl_encrypt versions prior to 1.4.9 contain a flaw that allows the execution of untrusted third‑party plugins. The default signature policy of WARN permits unsigned or unverifiable non‑built‑in plugins to be compiled and executed in the host process during import, before a runtime sandbox is applied. If a user is tricked into loading such a plugin, the attacker can run arbitrary code with the same privileges as the user executing openssl_encrypt.

Affected Systems

This vulnerability affects the openssl_encrypt tool provided by jahlives. All releases older than version 1.4.9 are impacted. Users of these versions must verify the installed release number and plan for remediation.

Risk and Exploitability

The flaw carries a CVSS score of 9.3, indicating high severity. EPSS is not available and the vulnerability is not listed in CISA KEV. The vulnerability permits execution of arbitrary code in the context of the user running openssl_encrypt if an unsigned or unverified plugin is loaded. The plugin is compiled and executed before the runtime sandbox is installed, so exploitation yields unrestricted code execution with the user’s privileges.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on August 27, 2026 at 18:43 UTC.

Remediation

No vendor fix or workaround currently provided.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Apply an upgrade to openssl_encrypt 1.4.9 or newer, which enforces signature verification for non‑built‑in plugins.
  • If upgrading is not immediately possible, configure the tool to set the signature policy to ENFORCE or disable loading of unsigned plugins.
  • Audit the environment for third‑party plugins from untrusted sources and eliminate them, ensuring that only signed, trusted plugins are used.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on August 27, 2026 at 18:43 UTC.

Tracking

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Advisories

No advisories yet.

History

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 13:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:jahlives:openssl_encrypt:*:*:*:*:*:python:*:*

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 18:00:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Jahlives
Jahlives openssl Encrypt
Vendors & Products Jahlives
Jahlives openssl Encrypt
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 16:45:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description openssl_encrypt before 1.4.9 executes untrusted third-party plugins with insufficient controls: the plugin signature policy defaulted to WARN, so an unsigned/unverifiable non-built-in plugin was compiled and executed in the host process at import time, before the runtime sandbox is installed. The only default gate was an incomplete, bypassable AST denylist. If a user is induced to load an attacker's plugin, this results in arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the user running openssl_encrypt. Fixed in 1.4.9 by defaulting the signature policy to ENFORCE for non-built-in plugins.
Title openssl_encrypt before 1.4.9 Remote Code Execution via Plugin
Weaknesses CWE-94
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

cvssV4_0

{'score': 9.3, 'vector': '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'}

Subscriptions

Jahlives Openssl Encrypt
cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: VulnCheck

Published:

Updated: 2026-08-27T18:28:10.008Z

Reserved: 2026-08-27T11:13:14.063Z

Link: CVE-2026-81719

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2026-08-27T18:28:05.615Z

cve-icon NVD

Status : Analyzed

Published: 2026-08-27T17:21:02.320

Modified: 2026-09-02T13:15:43.110

Link: CVE-2026-81719

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-08-27T18:45:04Z

Weaknesses
  • CWE-94

    Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')