CVE-2026-81689: openssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.9 derive the remote-pepper wrap key using unsalted HKDF-SHA256 or bare SHA

This month

HIGH 7.5REMOTEWATCHLISTUPGRADE

CVE-2026-81689 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) 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 1.4.9 derive the remote-pepper wrap key using unsalted HKDF-SHA256 or bare SHA-256 of the password, allowing identical keys across all users and files. Attackers with access to wrapped pepper blobs can precompute a single dictionary table and perform fleet-wide offline password guessing at hardware speed to recover user passwords.

Why this priority

High severity
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.3% (top 81%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-916
Published	2026-08-27
Last modified	2026-09-03

Publisher (CNA): VulnCheck · Vendor: jahlives

Last updated 2026-09-03 · 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
2026-09-03 15:07 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-2026-81689?

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

Is CVE-2026-81689 being exploited?

CVE-2026-81689 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-2026-81689 affect?

CVE-2026-81689 affects openssl encrypt. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). openssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.9 derive the remote-pepper wrap key using unsalted HKDF-SHA256 or bare SHA-256 of the password, allowing identical keys across all users and files. Attackers with access to wrapped pepper blobs can precom

How urgent is CVE-2026-81689?

Priority 41/100. High severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

Software pages

OpenSSL vulnerabilities

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CVE-2026-74890 MEDIUM 5.5 UPGRADE openssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.0 contain an authentication bypass vulnerability in CamelliaCipher that di
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References

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