CVE-2026-81681 PUBLISHED

openssl_encrypt before 1.4.9 False Encryption via Cleartext Storage

Assigner: VulnCheck
Reserved: 27.08.2026 Published: 27.08.2026 Updated: 27.08.2026

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.

Metrics

CVSS 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
CVSS Score: 9.3

Product Status

Vendor jahlives
Product openssl_encrypt
Versions Default: unaffected
  • affected from 0 to 1.4.9 (excl.)
  • Version 1.4.9 is unaffected

References

Problem Types

  • Missing Encryption of Sensitive Data CWE