openssl_encrypt before 1.4.9 Remote Code Execution via Plugin
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 · High · High
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 4.0 · CNA. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-94.
Summary
openssl_encrypt before 1.4.9 executes untrusted third-party plugins with insufficient controls: the plugin signature policy defaulted to WARN, so an unsigned/unverifiable non-built-in plugin was compiled and executed in the host process at import time, before the runtime sandbox is installed. The only default gate was an incomplete, bypassable AST denylist. If a user is induced to load an attacker's plugin, this results in arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the user running openssl_encrypt. Fixed in 1.4.9 by defaulting the signature policy to ENFORCE for non-built-in plugins.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Total
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-2026-81719
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-chrm-8mrh-xgj7
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-2026-81719 · CVE Program
- CVE-2026-81719 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-chrm-8mrh-xgj7 · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
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