CVE-2026-74873: openssl_encrypt before 1.4.0 Password Exposure via CLI Argument

Severity: medium (CVSS 5.5 v3.1)
Exploited in the wild: not listed in CISA KEV
EPSS: 0.3% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days
Public exploit or detection template: none known
Published: 2026-08-17 · updated 2026-10-08
Weakness: CWE-214

Description

openssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.0 expose passwords passed via the --password CLI argument in process listings accessible to all system users. Attackers can read process arguments through ps aux or /proc/[pid]/cmdline to retrieve plaintext passwords and keystore passwords.

Affected products

jahlives openssl_encrypt: before 1.4.0 — fixed in 1.4.0

How to fix

Upgrade to a fixed version: jahlives openssl_encrypt 1.4.0. Check the vendor advisory for mitigations.

References

https://github.com/jahlives/openssl_encrypt/security/advisories/GHSA-h3m5-p59h-x88p
https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openssl-encrypt-before-password-exposure-via-cli-argument

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