CVE-2026-81719: openssl_encrypt before 1.4.9 executes untrusted third-party plugins with insufficient controls: the plugin sig

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HIGH 7.8WATCHLISTUPGRADE

CVE-2026-81719 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.8) affecting openssl encrypt. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

openssl_encrypt before 1.4.9 executes untrusted third-party plugins with insufficient controls: the plugin signature policy defaulted to WARN, so an unsigned/unverifiable non-built-in plugin was compiled and executed in the host process at import time, before the runtime sandbox is installed. The only default gate was an incomplete, bypassable AST denylist. If a user is induced to load an attacker's plugin, this results in arbitrary code executio

Why this priority

High severity
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.8 (High)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	0.4% (top 62%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-94
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 17:21 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-09-02 13:15 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-2026-81719?

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

Is CVE-2026-81719 being exploited?

CVE-2026-81719 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-2026-81719 affect?

CVE-2026-81719 affects openssl encrypt. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). openssl_encrypt before 1.4.9 executes untrusted third-party plugins with insufficient controls: the plugin signature policy defaulted to WARN, so an unsigned/unverifiable non-built-in plugin was compiled and executed in the host process at

How urgent is CVE-2026-81719?

Priority 42/100. High severity; 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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