openssl-encrypt's unverified key bundle from_dict() + to_identity() path allows encryption to attacker keys
Key facts
- Attack vector
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- Privileges required
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- User interaction
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- Attack complexity
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- Impact type
- Security bypass
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
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- Fix status
- Fixed
No CVSS vector from any source. Fix status from GitHub. Impact type from CWE-347.
Summary
### Summary The `PublicKeyBundle.from_dict()` method in `openssl_encrypt/modules/key_bundle.py` at **lines 329-361** creates bundles from untrusted data without verifying the signature. The docstring warns to call `verify_signature()` after creation, but the `to_identity()` method (line 363-391) can convert an unverified bundle directly to an `Identity` object. ### Affected Code ```python @classmethod def from_dict(cls, data: Dict) -> "PublicKeyBundle": """ SECURITY: Does NOT verify signature. Call verify_signature() after creation. """ # Creates bundle without verification ``` ### Impact If `from_dict()` followed by `to_identity()` is called without an intervening `verify_signature()` call, encryption could be performed against an attacker's public key, leaking secrets. While `key_resolver.py` (lines 146-147) does verify before use, the unguarded API path remains directly callable. ### Recommended Fix - Add a `verified` flag to `PublicKeyBundle` that must be set before `to_identity()` can be called - Or have `to_identity()` automatically call `verify_signature()` and raise on failure - Or make `from_dict()` require verification as part of construction ### Fix Fixed in commit `f4a1ba6` on branch `releases/1.4.x` — from_dict() now verifies self_signature by default (verify=True parameter); raises ValueError on verification failure.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | openssl-encrypt (PyPI) | before 1.4.0 | 1.4.0 | Patch available | GHSA-8h88-gxp3-j7pg |
- openssl-encrypt (PyPI) Vendor— Affected before 1.4.0 Fixed in 1.4.0 Patch available GHSA-8h88-gxp3-j7pg
Remediation
- Fix · GHSA-8h88-gxp3-j7pg openssl-encrypt (PyPI) Fixed in 1.4.0 Advisory →
Timeline
- 2026-10-03 Threatist record created from GHSA-8h88-gxp3-j7pg
References
Sources
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