---
id: CVE-2026-81680
title: openssl_encrypt before 1.4.9 Authentication Bypass via Recovery Slot Removal
summary: >-
  openssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.9 fail to authenticate recovery-slot
  presence in envelope-format encrypted files, allowing attackers to remove
  recovery slots without re-encrypting the payload. Attackers can modify the
  file header to …
severity: medium
cvss: 4
cvssVector: 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N'
cvssSource: cna
cwe:
  - CWE-347
vendor: jahlives
product: openssl_encrypt
affected:
  - openssl_encrypt < 1.4.9
ssvc:
  exploitation: none
  automatable: 'no'
  technicalImpact: partial
  timestamp: '2026-08-27T19:23:50.488382Z'
published: '2026-08-27'
updated: '2026-10-01'
sourceUpdated: '2026-10-01T15:21:16.940Z'
source: CVEORG
sourceUrl: 'https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-81680'
references:
  - url: >-
      https://github.com/jahlives/openssl_encrypt/security/advisories/GHSA-grhj-cpmg-f5mx
    label: GitHub Security Advisory (GHSA-grhj-cpmg-f5mx)
  - url: >-
      https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openssl-encrypt-before-1.4.9-authentication-bypass-via-recovery-slot-removal
    label: >-
      VulnCheck Advisory: openssl_encrypt before 1.4.9 Authentication Bypass via
      Recovery Slot Removal
tags:
  - cve.org
  - osv
  - pip
epss: 0.00204
epssPercentile: 0.10296
aliases:
  - PYSEC-2026-3957
  - GHSA-grhj-cpmg-f5mx
ecosystem: pip
patched:
  - openssl-encrypt 1.4.9
scores:
  cna: 4
  osv: 5.3
ingestedAt: '2026-09-12T03:13:01.743Z'
---

## Overview

openssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.9 fail to authenticate recovery-slot presence in envelope-format encrypted files, allowing attackers to remove recovery slots without re-encrypting the payload. Attackers can modify the file header to delete recovery-slot fields and bypass authentication, silently removing recovery paths the owner deliberately added.

## Affected

- `openssl_encrypt < 1.4.9`

## Remediation

Refer to the linked advisories for vendor-supplied fixes and affected version ranges.

## Package advisory (CVE-2026-81680)

Affected packages:

- `openssl-encrypt < 1.4.9`

Patched in:

- `openssl-encrypt 1.4.9`

Source: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/PYSEC-2026-3957