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TI-2026-56351 Aliases CVE-2026-81697GHSA-7wp9-wpj9-m7pm

openssl_encrypt before 1.4.9 KDF Downgrade via CWD-relative Configuration

Priority LOW 37CWE-426Published · Updated

Key facts

Attack vector
Network
Privileges required
None
User interaction
None
Attack complexity
Low
Attack requirements
None
Impact type
Code execution
Confidentiality · integrity · availability
High · None · None
Fix status
Fixed

Attack profile from CVSS 4.0 · CNA. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-426.

Summary

openssl_encrypt (pip package openssl-encrypt) versions <= 1.4.8 contain a CWD-relative configuration file resolution flaw in crypt_settings.py, where CONFIG_FILE (originally the absolute per-user path ~/.crypt_settings.json) is reassigned at line 84 to the bare relative name 'crypt_settings.json'. As a result, the legacy Tk GUI's SettingsTab reads and writes KDF settings from crypt_settings.json in the process launch (current working) directory instead of the user's home directory. An attacker who plants a malicious crypt_settings.json (e.g. sha256:1 with all memory-hard KDFs disabled) can silently downgrade encryption performed in that GUI session to roughly one hash round, bypassing the weak-KDF preflight and enabling offline brute-force attacks against the resulting ciphertext. Fixed in 1.4.9.

Why it matters now

Exploitation None reported CISA SSVC · not in CISA KEV
EPSS 0.00206 10th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Fix Fixed openssl_encrypt (jahlives): 1.4.9

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

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed inStatusSource
jahlivesopenssl_encryptbefore 1.4.91.4.9Patch availableCNA
  • openssl_encrypt Vendorjahlives Affected before 1.4.9 Fixed in 1.4.9 Patch available CNA

CPE names Threatist (inferred) · 1

Inferred from how NVD named this product before; not given by a source.

CPEVersionsRoleVendor
cpe:2.3:a:jahlives:openssl_encrypt:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*——jahlives
  • cpe:2.3:a:jahlives:openssl_encrypt:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions — — ·jahlives

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
    Show all 36 records →

Timeline

  1. 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-81697
  2. 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-7wp9-wpj9-m7pm

References

Advisory 1

  • 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
See all 65 →

Sources

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