VulnerabilityAnalyzed

CVE-2026-81696

Attackers can craft malicious files containing escape sequences to repaint terminal output and forge verification information displayed to users.

CRITICAL 9.3EPSS 0.18%

Does this matter?

High impact if exploited, but EPSS currently rates exploitation as unlikely (0.18%). 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 sanitize terminal control characters in file metadata printed by the info command. Attackers can craft malicious files containing escape sequences to repaint terminal output and forge verification information displayed to users.

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: 0.18% probability · 7th percentile
CISA KEV: Not listed
Weakness: CWE-117
Affected: jahlives/openssl encrypt
Source: disclosure@vulncheck.com

References

https://github.com/jahlives/openssl_encrypt/security/advisories/GHSA-539p-fxf4-7fv8Vendor Advisory
https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openssl-encrypt-before-1.4.9-terminal-injection-via-info-commandThird Party Advisory

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