Vulnerability · Published Aug 27, 2026 · Assigned by VulnCheck

CVE-2026-81702openssl_encrypt before 1.4.9 Key Substitution via Identity Load

Critical 9.8

In plain English

A critical-severity insufficient verification of data authenticity in openssl_encrypt from jahlives. There are no confirmed reports of exploitation so far. The chance it is exploited in the next 30 days is estimated at 0.2% (higher than 8% of all known vulnerabilities). Fixed versions are available - upgrade the affected package.

Severity (CVSS 3.1)9.8Critical

Exploit odds (30 days)0.2%top 91.7% of all CVEs

Exploited in the wildNo reportsCISA SSVC: none

Attack toolingNoneno public tooling known

Official description

openssl_encrypt before 1.4.9 fails to re-derive and validate fingerprints when loading identities from identity.json, allowing attackers to substitute public keys in identity stores. Attackers can replace legitimate public keys with their own while maintaining the claimed fingerprint, enabling silent key substitution where encryption uses attacker keys and signature verification appears valid.

Affected packages & fixed versions

Ecosystem	Package	Fixed in	Advisory
PyPI	openssl-encrypt	1.4.9	PYSEC-2026-3962

Affected products (as reported)

Vendor	Product	Versions
jahlives	openssl_encrypt	0 – before 1.4.9

Weakness: CWE-345 · Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

References

GitHub Security Advisory (GHSA-q8p3-7h6h-ghfr) vendor-advisory
VulnCheck Advisory: openssl_encrypt before 1.4.9 Key Substitution via Identity Load third-party-advisory