CVE-2026-74872: openssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.0 contain an arbitrary code execution vulnerability in the Whirlpool hash

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CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEWATCHLISTUPGRADE

CVE-2026-74872 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting openssl encrypt. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

openssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.0 contain an arbitrary code execution vulnerability in the Whirlpool hash implementation that uses broad glob patterns to load .so modules without integrity verification. Attackers can place malicious .so files matching the whirlpool*py313*.so pattern in site-packages directories to achieve native code execution when the module is loaded.

Why this priority

Critical severity
CISA SSVC: automatable with total technical impact
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.7% (top 48%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-426
Published	2026-08-17
Last modified	2026-10-08

Publisher (CNA): VulnCheck · Vendor: jahlives

Last updated 2026-10-08 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-08-17 11:16 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-10-08 16:17 UTCUpdated Record last modified

jahlives openssl encrypt UPGRADE

Affected: < 1.4.0

Fixed in: 1.4.0

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

pip show openssl-encrypt

2. UPGRADE to 1.4.0

pip install --upgrade "openssl-encrypt>=1.4.0"

Exact fixes by distribution

Fedora ELN · rust-snpguest · FIXED · 0.11.0-1.eln159 · FEDORA-2026-baa01ba6c8 · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-baa01ba6c8

Fedora 46 · rust-sev · FIXED · 8.0.0-1.fc46 · FEDORA-2026-df06b5fb0c · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-df06b5fb0c

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2026-74872?

openssl encrypt: upgrade to 1.4.0. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2026-74872 being exploited?

CVE-2026-74872 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2026-74872 affect?

CVE-2026-74872 affects openssl encrypt. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). openssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.0 contain an arbitrary code execution vulnerability in the Whirlpool hash implementation that uses broad glob patterns to load .so modules without integrity verification. Attackers can place malicious .so

How urgent is CVE-2026-74872?

Priority 60/100. Critical severity; CISA SSVC: automatable with total technical impact; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

Software pages

OpenSSL vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

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CVE-2026-74892 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE openssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.0 contain a hardcoded default secret key in the standalone telemetry serve
CVE-2026-74890 MEDIUM 5.5 UPGRADE openssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.0 contain an authentication bypass vulnerability in CamelliaCipher that di
CVE-2026-74881 MEDIUM 6.5 UPGRADE openssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.0 configure CORS with allow_origins set to wildcard and allow_credentials

References

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