CVE-2026-81689

openssl_encrypt before 1.4.9 Weak Pepper Key Derivation

Published Aug 27, 2026 CVSS 4.0 · 8.7 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
openssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.9 derive the remote-pepper wrap key using unsalted HKDF-SHA256 or bare SHA-256 of the password, allowing identical keys across all users and files. Attackers with access to wrapped pepper blobs can precompute a single dictionary table and perform fleet-wide offline password guessing at hardware speed to recover user passwords.

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
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'yes', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Jahlives
Jahlives openssl Encrypt
Vendors & Products Jahlives
Jahlives openssl Encrypt
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description openssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.9 derive the remote-pepper wrap key using unsalted HKDF-SHA256 or bare SHA-256 of the password, allowing identical keys across all users and files. Attackers with access to wrapped pepper blobs can precompute a single dictionary table and perform fleet-wide offline password guessing at hardware speed to recover user passwords.
Title openssl_encrypt before 1.4.9 Weak Pepper Key Derivation
Weaknesses CWE-916
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N'}

cvssV4_0

{'score': 8.7, 'vector': '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'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
VulnCheck
Published
Updated
Oct 1, 2026, 3:21 PM
Reserved
Aug 27, 2026, 11:12 AM
Status
Analyzed
Published
Aug 27, 2026, 5:20 PM
Modified
Sep 3, 2026, 3:07 PM