openssl_encrypt before 1.4.9 False Encryption via Cleartext Storage
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 attacker with physical access to the media can read the sensitive files. Fixed in 1.4.9, which seals the workspace into an authenticated AES-256-GCM vault.
CVE-2026-81681
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-2026-81681
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-2026-81681
Source reference:
/cveMetadata/cveId
Publisher severity
critical
Source reference: /containers/cna/metrics
- Event
- #5534 · Revision 1
- Added to Heist Feed
- Publisher date