CVE-2026-74878: openssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.0 use an in-memory rate limiter for TOTP brute-force protection that is no

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CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEWATCHLISTUPGRADE

CVE-2026-74878 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 use an in-memory rate limiter for TOTP brute-force protection that is not shared across workers and is lost on server restart. Attackers can distribute authentication attempts across multiple server instances or retry immediately after a restart to bypass rate limiting protections.

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 45%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-770
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 · openbao · FIXED · 2.6.5-1.eln159 · FEDORA-2026-77adf886ae · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-77adf886ae

Fedora 46 · sugar-turtleart · FIXED · 220-16.fc46 · FEDORA-2026-b79483c788 · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-b79483c788

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-2026-74878?

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

Is CVE-2026-74878 being exploited?

CVE-2026-74878 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-2026-74878 affect?

CVE-2026-74878 affects openssl encrypt. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). openssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.0 use an in-memory rate limiter for TOTP brute-force protection that is not shared across workers and is lost on server restart. Attackers can distribute authentication attempts across multiple server ins

How urgent is CVE-2026-74878?

Priority 61/100. 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

CVE-2026-74886 CRITICAL 9.8 UPGRADE openssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.0 contain a plugin sandbox bypass vulnerability where the PluginImportGuar
CVE-2026-74880 CRITICAL 9.8 UPGRADE openssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.0 accept refresh tokens as URL query parameters in keyserver and telemetry
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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