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TI-2026-38769 Aliases CVE-2026-53762

VeraCryp: wolfCrypt backend bypasses VeraCrypt PBKDF2 iteration count (non-default WOLFCRYPT=1 builds)

Priority MEDIUM 61CWE-916Published · Updated

Key facts

Attack vector
Local
Privileges required
None
User interaction
None
Attack complexity
Low
Impact type
—
Confidentiality · integrity · availability
High · None · None
Fix status
Fixed

Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA.

Summary

VeraCrypt provides disk encryption with strong security based on TrueCrypt. Prior to 1.26.29, non-default builds created with WOLFCRYPT=1 and WOLFCRYPT_BACKEND route SHA-256 and SHA-512 volume-header key derivation through derive_key_sha256 and derive_key_sha512 in src/Crypto/wolfCrypt.c, where the configured iterations value is discarded and wc_HKDF is used instead of PBKDF2-HMAC. Changing the PIM or iteration count therefore does not increase derivation cost, allowing an attacker with an affected container, disk image, or volume header to perform substantially cheaper offline password guesses. Official precompiled VeraCrypt binaries and normal distribution packages use the standard PBKDF2 backend and are not affected. Volumes created by an affected WOLFCRYPT=1 build require backup and recreation because corrected builds derive different keys. This issue is fixed in version 1.26.29.

Why it matters now

Exploitation Proof of concept CISA SSVC · not in CISA KEV
EPSS 0.00078 0th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Fix Fixed VeraCrypt (veracrypt): 1.26.29

SSVC decision points

CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3

Exploitation
Poc
Automatable
No
Technical impact
Partial

The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.

Affected products

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed inStatusSource
veracryptVeraCryptbefore 1.26.291.26.29Patch availableCNA
  • VeraCrypt Vendorveracrypt Affected before 1.26.29 Fixed in 1.26.29 Patch available CNA

Remediation

  • Fix · CNA VeraCrypt (veracrypt) Fixed in 1.26.29

Timeline

  1. 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-53762

References

  • TI-2026-39004 VeraCrypt: Hidden volume quick format weakens plausible deniability CVSS 4.0MEDIUM 4.6
  • TI-2026-85262 Heap overflow and out-of-bounds read in VeraCrypt deserialization CVSS 4.0HIGH 8.8
  • TI-2026-74032 Missing authorization in VeraCrypt driver exposes disk metadata CVSS 3.1LOW 3.3

Sources

This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences