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.

Metrics

Attack Vector Network

Attack Complexity Low

Privileges Required None

Attack Requirements None

User Interaction None

Vulnerable System Confidentiality Impact High

Vulnerable System Integrity Impact None

Vulnerable System Availability Impact None

Subsequent System Confidentiality Impact None

Subsequent System Integrity Impact None

Subsequent System Availability Impact None

Attack Vector Local

Attack Complexity Low

Privileges Required None

Scope Unchanged

Confidentiality Impact None

Integrity Impact High

Availability Impact None

User Interaction Required

No CVSS v3.0

No CVSS v2

This CVE is not in the KEV list.

Exploitation none

Automatable yes

Technical Impact partial

Affected Vendors & Products

Vendors Products
Jahlives
  • Openssl Encrypt

No data.

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References
Link Providers
https://github.com/jahlives/openssl_encrypt/security/advisories/GHSA-qqfq-g2cv-j7v3 cve-icon cve-icon
https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openssl-encrypt-before-1.4.9-authentication-bypass-via-unencrypted-pqc-key cve-icon cve-icon
History

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

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

Type Values Removed Values Added
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.
Title openssl_encrypt before 1.4.9 Authentication Bypass via Unencrypted PQC Key
Weaknesses CWE-287
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 5.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/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'}
cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: VulnCheck

Published: 2026-08-27T14:51:06.238Z

Updated: 2026-08-27T18:21:11.706Z

Reserved: 2026-08-27T11:12:29.817Z

Link: CVE-2026-81703

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2026-08-27T18:21:06.699Z

cve-icon NVD

Status : Undergoing Analysis

Published: 2026-08-27T17:21:00.833

Modified: 2026-08-28T18:56:34.447

Link: CVE-2026-81703

cve-icon Redhat

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