PatchTheCEVCVE-2026-74886: openssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.0 contain a plugin sandbox bypass vulnerability where the PluginImportGuar
60
This week
CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEWATCHLISTUPGRADE
CVE-2026-74886 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 a plugin sandbox bypass vulnerability where the PluginImportGuard blocks a different set of modules than the AST analyzer's DANGEROUS_MODULES set. Attackers can bypass AST analysis through string obfuscation or encoding to import unblocked dangerous modules like sys, shutil, multiprocessing, importlib, and pickle for arbitrary code execution.
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-184 |
| Published | 2026-08-17 |
| Last modified | 2026-10-23 |
Am I affected?
Timeline
- Published CVE record published
- Updated 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 46 · python-openslide · FIXED · 1.4.7-1.fc46 · FEDORA-2026-336bea884e · source
sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-336bea884e
Fedora ELN · valgrind · FIXED · 3.28.0-1.eln159 · FEDORA-2026-c593ef1d15 · source
sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-c593ef1d15
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.
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.
Related CVEs
- 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