openssl_encrypt before 1.4.0 Non-Standard PBKDF2 Key Derivation
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Attack requirements
- None
- Impact type
- Information disclosure
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · None · None
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 4.0 · CNA. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-327.
Summary
openssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.0 use a non-standard PBKDF2 key derivation construction with iterations=1 per call in an outer loop, creating a KDF whose security properties have not been formally analyzed. Attackers can exploit this weakened key derivation to more efficiently crack passwords protecting legacy encrypted files compared to standard PBKDF2 implementations.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- Yes
- Technical impact
- Partial
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
Remediation
- Fix · CNA openssl_encrypt (jahlives) Fixed in 1.4.0
Fixed in the same release
Records fixed by the same vendor advisory or release, as the CNA lists them.
- Release ·
jahlives openssl_encrypt 1.4.0
28 records Highest priority Priority HIGH 3 HIGH, 21 MEDIUM, 4 LOW
Other records, highest priority first
- TI-2026-52616 openssl_encrypt before 1.4.0 Sandbox Escape via Type HierarchyPriority HIGH 81
- TI-2026-52615 openssl_encrypt before 1.4.0 Sandbox Escape via Dunder Attribute TraversalPriority HIGH 81
- TI-2026-52602 openssl_encrypt before 1.4.0 Sandbox Bypass via pathlib and ioPriority HIGH 79
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-74888
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-m7fg-4j92-vghm
References
More jahlives Openssl Encrypt vulnerabilities
- TI-2026-52616 openssl_encrypt before 1.4.0 Sandbox Escape via Type Hierarchy CVSS 4.0CRITICAL 9.3
- TI-2026-52615 openssl_encrypt before 1.4.0 Sandbox Escape via Dunder Attribute Traversal CVSS 4.0CRITICAL 9.3
- TI-2026-52602 openssl_encrypt before 1.4.0 Sandbox Bypass via pathlib and io CVSS 4.0HIGH 8.7
- TI-2026-52617 openssl_encrypt before 1.4.0 Weak Shared Secret via PQC Simulation Mode CVSS 4.0CRITICAL 9.3
- TI-2026-52614 openssl_encrypt before 1.4.0 Plugin Sandbox Bypass via Process Isolation CVSS 4.0CRITICAL 9.3
- TI-2026-52613 openssl_encrypt before 1.4.0 Authentication Bypass via Bearer Token CVSS 4.0CRITICAL 9.3
Sources
- CVE-2026-74888 · CVE Program
- CVE-2026-74888 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-m7fg-4j92-vghm · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences