High severity7.5NVD Advisory· Published Aug 27, 2026· Updated Sep 3, 2026
CVE-2026-81689
CVE-2026-81689
Description
openssl_encrypt versions before 1.4.9 derive the remote-pepper wrap key using unsalted HKDF-SHA256 or bare SHA-256 of the password, allowing identical keys across all users and files. Attackers with access to wrapped pepper blobs can precompute a single dictionary table and perform fleet-wide offline password guessing at hardware speed to recover user passwords.
AI Insight
LLM-synthesized narrative grounded in this CVE's description and references.
Affected products
2<1.4.9+ 1 more
- (no CPE)range: <1.4.9
- (no CPE)range: <1.4.9
Patches
Vulnerability mechanics
References
2- github.com/jahlives/openssl_encrypt/security/advisories/GHSA-3v63-778v-3mvpnvdVendor Advisory
- www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openssl-encrypt-before-1.4.9-weak-pepper-key-derivationnvdThird Party Advisory
News mentions
1- Jahlives Openssl Encrypt: 25 Vulnerabilities Disclosed in Single Batch, Patched in 1.4.9Vypr Intelligence · Aug 27, 2026