openssl_encrypt before 1.4.9 Denial of Service via KDF
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Attack requirements
- None
- Impact type
- Denial of service
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · None · None
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 4.0 · CNA. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-400.
Summary
openssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.9 fail to enforce a time ceiling on key derivation function iteration counts specified in file metadata. Attackers can craft files with extremely high KDF iteration counts to consume CPU resources for unbounded periods before password verification occurs.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- 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
Remediation
- Fix · CNA openssl_encrypt (jahlives) Fixed in 1.4.9
Fixed in the same release
Records fixed by the same vendor advisory or release, as the CNA lists them.
- Release ·
jahlives openssl_encrypt 1.4.9
36 records Highest priority Priority MEDIUM 24 MEDIUM, 12 LOW
Other records, highest priority first
- TI-2026-56361 openssl_encrypt before 1.4.9 ANSI Escape Injection via Identity EmailPriority MEDIUM 49
- TI-2026-56355 openssl_encrypt before 1.4.9 Arbitrary Code Execution via unsigned pluginPriority MEDIUM 48
- TI-2026-56354 openssl_encrypt before 1.4.9 GPG Signature Verification BypassPriority MEDIUM 48
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-81687
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-fj6q-w4r8-75h7
References
More jahlives 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-2026-56361 openssl_encrypt before 1.4.9 ANSI Escape Injection via Identity Email CVSS 4.0CRITICAL 9.3
- 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
Sources
- CVE-2026-81687 · CVE Program
- CVE-2026-81687 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-fj6q-w4r8-75h7 · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
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