VulnerabilityAnalyzed

CVE-2026-81680

openssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.9 fail to authenticate recovery-slot presence in envelope-format encrypted files, allowing attackers to remove recovery slots without re-encrypting the payload.

CRITICAL 9.3EPSS 0.14%

Does this matter?

High impact if exploited, but EPSS currently rates exploitation as unlikely (0.14%). Schedule it in the normal patch cycle and watch for a rise in EPSS or a public exploit.

Description

openssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.9 fail to authenticate recovery-slot presence in envelope-format encrypted files, allowing attackers to remove recovery slots without re-encrypting the payload. Attackers can modify the file header to delete recovery-slot fields and bypass authentication, silently removing recovery paths the owner deliberately added.

CVSS 4.0: 9.3 CRITICALCVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/M
EPSS: 0.14% probability · 4th percentile
CISA KEV: Not listed
Weakness: CWE-347
Affected: jahlives/openssl encrypt
Source: disclosure@vulncheck.com

References

https://github.com/jahlives/openssl_encrypt/security/advisories/GHSA-grhj-cpmg-f5mxVendor Advisory
https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openssl-encrypt-before-1.4.9-authentication-bypass-via-recovery-slot-removalThird Party Advisory

Source: NVD record, EPSS from FIRST.org, KEV from CISA. Refreshed daily.