verify-usb before 1.4.9 Symlink Directory Traversal Code Execution
openssl-encrypt (pip package) before 1.4.9 contains a symlink-following flaw in its verify-usb v2 added-file allowlist scan. The scan enumerated the drive with rglob(), which in CPython does not descend into symlinked directories and treats the symlink as an ordinary directory, while O_NOFOLLOW on the hash side binds only the final path component. An evil-maid attacker with physical access to the removable drive could replace a tool-tree directory with a symlink to a copy containing byte-identical files plus a planted __pycache__/*.pyc file (which CPython loads in preference to recompiling the clean .py). The planted file is never enumerated, added_files stays 0, and verify-usb reports PASSED, resulting in code execution when the victim runs the portable install. Fixed in 1.4.9 (affects both 1.4.x and 1.5.x lines).
CVE-2026-81690
Primary source · Revision 1
Imported from structured advisory data. Source references identify upstream records or fields; verify affected versions and your deployed configuration.
Security context
Source reference: cve:CVE-2026-81690
openssl_encrypt
Source reference: /containers/cna/affected/0/product
- Affected versions
- Not stated in this record
- Fixed versions
- Not stated in this record
- Prerequisites
- Not stated in this record
Structured affected-version data
Original package identities and version rules from this source.
[
{
"vendor": "jahlives",
"product": "openssl_encrypt",
"versions": [
{
"status": "affected",
"version": "0",
"lessThan": "1.4.9",
"versionType": "semver"
},
{
"status": "unaffected",
"version": "1.4.9",
"versionType": "semver"
}
],
"packageURL": "pkg:pypi/openssl-encrypt",
"defaultStatus": "unaffected"
}
]- Related CVEs
- CVE-2026-81690
Source reference:
/cveMetadata/cveId
Publisher severity
high
Source reference: /containers/cna/metrics
- Event
- #5543 · Revision 1
- Added to Heist Feed
- Publisher date