CVE-2026-81681: openssl_encrypt (pip package openssl-encrypt) versions <= 1.4.8 advertise a portable USB workspace as an 'Encr

Q: How urgent is CVE-2026-81681?

Priority 23/100. On your watchlist

Routine

MEDIUM 4.6WATCHLISTUPGRADE

CVE-2026-81681 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 4.6) affecting openssl encrypt. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

openssl_encrypt (pip package openssl-encrypt) versions <= 1.4.8 advertise a portable USB workspace as an 'Encrypted USB Workspace' with AES-256-GCM encryption and write a marker declaring the workspace encrypted, but the workspace directory is actually stored in cleartext and the derived encryption key is never applied to it. A user who trusts the branding and places files in the workspace leaves them unencrypted on the removable media, so an att

Why this priority

On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	4.6 (Medium)
Attack vector	Physical
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.2% (top 93%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-311
Published	2026-08-27
Last modified	2026-09-02

Publisher (CNA): VulnCheck · Vendor: jahlives

Last updated 2026-09-02 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-08-27 17:20 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-09-02 13:13 UTCUpdated Record last modified

jahlives openssl encrypt UPGRADE

Affected: < 1.4.9

Fixed in: 1.4.9

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

pip show openssl-encrypt

2. UPGRADE to 1.4.9

pip install --upgrade "openssl-encrypt>=1.4.9"

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-2026-81681?

openssl encrypt: upgrade to 1.4.9. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2026-81681 being exploited?

CVE-2026-81681 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-2026-81681 affect?

CVE-2026-81681 affects openssl encrypt. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.6). openssl_encrypt (pip package openssl-encrypt) versions <= 1.4.8 advertise a portable USB workspace as an 'Encrypted USB Workspace' with AES-256-GCM encryption and write a marker declaring the workspace encrypted, but the workspace directory

How urgent is CVE-2026-81681?

Priority 23/100. 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

← Back to latest CVEs