CVE-2026-81698: openssl_encrypt before 1.4.9 Shell Injection via info command

Severity: high (CVSS 8.8 v3.1)
Exploited in the wild: not listed in CISA KEV
EPSS: 0.4% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days
Public exploit or detection template: none known
Published: 2026-08-27 · updated 2026-09-01
Weakness: CWE-78

Description

openssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.9 contain a shell injection vulnerability in the info command's reconstructed CLI block that interpolates untrusted metadata fields without quoting. Attackers can craft metadata values like pepper_name containing shell commands that execute when users copy the printed CLI block into a shell.

Affected products

jahlives openssl_encrypt: before 1.4.9 — fixed in 1.4.9

How to fix

Upgrade to a fixed version: jahlives openssl_encrypt 1.4.9. Check the vendor advisory for mitigations.

References

https://github.com/jahlives/openssl_encrypt/security/advisories/GHSA-gw2m-mj6q-59hc
https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openssl-encrypt-before-1.4.9-shell-injection-via-info-command

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