CVE-2026-81681

openssl_encrypt before 1.4.9 False Encryption via Cleartext Storage

Published Aug 27, 2026 CVSS 4.0 · 9.3 Critical EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
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.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

No advisories available
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:jahlives:openssl_encrypt:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Type Values Removed Values Added
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:jahlives:openssl_encrypt:*:*:*:*:*:python:*:*
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': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
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.
Title openssl_encrypt before 1.4.9 False Encryption via Cleartext Storage
Weaknesses CWE-311
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 4.6, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N'}

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'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
VulnCheck
Published
Updated
Oct 1, 2026, 3:21 PM
Reserved
Aug 27, 2026, 11:11 AM
Status
Analyzed
Published
Aug 27, 2026, 5:20 PM
Modified
Sep 2, 2026, 1:13 PM